Cities explored: Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Jaipur, Varanasi

We arrive into the hustle and bright lights of Delhi the afternoon/evening of March 16th. You will be picked up and taken to the hotel where you can settle, eat and refresh for our retreat to officially begin the following day!

Morning of the 17th we will all meet for one full day of Delhi exploration including visiting the Mahatma Gandhi Smriti - the place Gandhi spent his last days.

From there, we will embark early, cup of chai in hand, for 3 days to spend in Rishikesh, at the foot of the Himalayas where the Ganges meets the foothills and where traditional and modern yoga unite. During our time in Rishikesh, we will practice, visit numerous temples, eat delicious food, swim at the waterfalls and in the ancient Ganges, enjoy evening Aarti ceremonies on the banks, serve the community, and more.

From here, we spend one day on a walking tour of Haridwar (‘Gateway of God’).

Off to Jaipur we go - the Pink city! We will visit Amber Fort, City Palace, learn about the art of block printing, chant kirtan, visit Ayurvedic spa for treatment, as well as visiting temples, evening Aarti and quiet time in contemplation and meditation.

Then we move to our final city, Varanasi, considered the oldest living city in the world. Other than being a very holy city for Hindus and a gateway to the divine, it also holds a very significant association with Buddha’s life and the founding of Buddhism. An ultimate place of pilgrimage, it is believed that those who die or are put to rest in Varanasi will attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. While here, among other excursions, we will take a sacred boat ride on the Ganges at dawn to the sound of conches & temple bells.

On the morning of the 28th, we travel together from Varanasi back to Delhi, at which time we either separate depending on individual flight times or continue to tour Delhi together.