A Passage to India

Fly into Delhi. We'll meet you at the airport and whisk you to our hotel, the impeccably designed 5-star Lodhi in the heart of New Delhi. Settle into your garden terrace room and relax. 

For most of us, it's a long trip to India, so consider arriving a day (or more) early to rest, relax, and get acclimated to the local time. There's an option to arrive a day early in the Add-On section.

Regardless of your arrival day, take a moment to pamper yourself. Book an optional spa treatment to shake off your jetlag, or sit by the pool and soak in some sunlight to help your body adjust to the new timezone.

We’ll meet in the late afternoon for a briefing with Clara, our guide. She’ll initiate us into the Indian mindset with one of her daily talks which will be part of our weekly experience. 

Welcome cocktails in the lounge are on us. Then together we’ll depart for Varq Restaurant, considered one of the city's finest gourmet experiences for contemporary Indian dining. 

Let’s call it an early night so we can rest before our adventures tomorrow. 

After a spectacular breakfast we’ll head out for a big day of sightseeing. We’ll meet Monika, our guide for the week, who you'll fall in love with by the end of the day because of her infectious energy and smile. 

We’ll begin with a visit to the Qutub Minar, a giant brick minaret built in 1199 by Muslim conquerors and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Next, we’ll walk through Gandhi Smirti, Gandhi’s residence at the end of his life. You can see where he slept and even his signature round glasses. Rewatch Gandhi (the movie with Ben Kingsley) before you arrive so you can recall his remarkable story. 

Now, it’s time to go to Old Delhi. Before touring the markets, we’ll duck into this ancient Haveli, an old Indian mansion, to enjoy a delicious lunch.

After lunch, we’ll take a rickshaw ride through the Old Delhi market, pausing for pictures. We'll stop at shops to discover Indian spices, sweet tastes, and natural fragrances. This is a great place to purchase Indian bangles or other jewelry. 

Tonight, we’ll dine back at our hotel's Elan Asian restaurant, which offers dim sum, small plates, and even sushi. We'll be eating plenty of Indian food on this trip, and Delhi is the best place to find other cuisines, so let's indulge tonight in specialities from other parts of Asia. 

We'll check out of our hotel in Delhi and start our four-hour drive to Agra after enjoying breakfast. We’ll make a pit stop along the way to refresh before enjoying a delectable lunch at Pinch of Spice in Agra, the city renowned for the Taj Mahal.

Next, we’ll check out a boutique sari shop so we can dress appropriately for our upcoming visit to one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Once we're kitted up, we’ll check into the 5-star TajView Agra. Why not refresh in the pool or pop into the fitness center for a quick workout?

We'll meet up again later for early evening tea or drinks while we get our henna done at the hotel's Sky Deck, a stylish rooftop lounge offering panoramic views of the Taj Mahal and the city skyline. Dinner at Daawat-e-Nawab will follow. 

Today, we’ll wake up bright and early to capture the Taj in early morning light, but first, we’ll dress in our saris.

A visit to the Taj Mahal is on everyone’s bucket list, so it will feel like a dream come true. Better yet, getting there early lets us watch the building change colors as the sun rises. These are once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunities.

After hearing the love story that led to the construction of the Taj (and taking hundreds of pictures, of course), we’ll visit our guide Monika's home for breakfast and a lesson in how to make authentic Chai. This is an opportunity for you to see how the average person lives in India. 

We’ll return to the hotel for a quick snooze or a dip in the pool after a busy morning. Enjoy lunch at your own pace before we regroup and head back out for the afternoon. 

We’re off to visit a very special inlaid-marble atelier whose best works are featured in museums. Plus, we’ll have the opportunity to see some of the best embroidery in the region at Zardozi’s.

Tonight, you can relax in your room and order room service after a big day or dine with friends in one of the hotel restaurants.

After fueling up with the hotel breakfast, we're off to Jaipur, the pink city. 

Along the way, we'll visit Fatehpur Sikri, the city of the Mughal Kings and the former capital of the Mughal Empire, dating back to the 16th century. After our tour and a quick history lesson, we’ll take time for a local lunch to fuel the rest of our journey.

We’ll finally arrive in Jaipur after approximately five hours of driving and check into the spectacular five-star Raj Palace Hotel.

After a long journey, we’ll relax and unpack, then meet for dinner at Swapna Mahal, the hotel's signature fine-dining restaurant for refined Indian food, lit by candlelight only and harkening back to the time of the Maharajas. 

Today, after a rich breakfast, we’ll head out to the Amber Fort, one of the most impressive buildings in all of India and a fantastic example of Rajput architecture.

Later, we’ll visit the Jantar Mantar observatory, a scientific feat of its time with 22 fixed structures, each with its own significance in observing astronomical positions. 

Our next stop is the opulent Royal City Palace. Before touring the complex, we'll pause for lunch at one of their fantastic restaurants. Don’t miss the small but absolutely magical gift shop. 

After a fulfilling morning and lunch, we’ll drive by the much-instagrammed Hawa Mahal (aka the Pink Palace) for a photo in front of its distinctive windows.

The afternoon is set aside for shopping, as Jaipur is known worldwide for its textiles, fabrics, gems, and carpets. Many designers from the US, England, and elsewhere create their product lines here.

We’ll poll the group early during the trip to gauge interests that will guide our shopping adventures. Jaipur is the place to find exceptional jewelry, handmade fabrics, stylish fashion, bedding, hand-woven rugs, shawls, and bargain bangles.

While in Jaipur, we’ll set aside time on both afternoons for a 60-minute spa service, included for everyone on the trip. We all deserve to be pampered! Try an Indian aromatherapy massage or perhaps an Ayurvedic foot or head treatment.

Tonight’s meal is on your own. There are several restaurants to try at the hotel, or you can always opt for room service if you prefer a quieter night.

This morning is a relaxing one. Sleep in and savor the slow, gradual awakening in India. It’s time to relax and recuperate after much sightseeing. Let’s ground ourselves in practicing meditation, breathwork, and yoga with Clara.

We'll depart around 10 am for a day of art, food, and friendly animals. Our first stop is the Blue Pottery Center, where a special type of traditional pottery is made and hand-painted by local artists. 

In lieu of lunch, we’ll take a home-cooking class to discover the essential spices and flavors of Indian cooking. Then, we’ll feast on our creations!

In the afternoon, we’ll head out of town to an Elephant Conservation Sanctuary to learn about the plight of the Indian Elephant and get up close and personal with them. Our aim is to support the work of this conservation organization, which has protected elephants and other animals from poaching through 12 rescue centers across India since 1995.

Tonight, we're in for a treat. After some time back at the hotel for spa treatments or relaxation, we’ll depart for the Palladio Restaurant and Bar. The setting is pure fantasy, and the Italian food is a delightful change of pace. This is the ideal place to celebrate our time in Rajasthan and prepare for our next stop.

This morning, we'll head to Jaipur International Airport together. Those ending their trip in Jaipur will fly to Delhi to connect with their return flight home. (See our FAQ's for more information about flight times). 

For those continuing on the Rishikesh trip extension, we'll fly north to Dehra Dun. Onwards and upwards! 

After an early breakfast, we’ll depart Jaipur on a 9:05 am flight, arriving at the Jolly Grant airport at 10:30 am, where our private driver will pick us up.

Together, we’ll drive through Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga ending up at our home for the next four nights the Yog Niketan Ayurvedic Retreat with Ganges River views. Our retreat hotel describes itself as the intersection of many Indian spiritual practices and is the perfect place to center yourself and rejuvenate after a fascinating trip through Rajasthan. 

After arrival we'll savour a healthy leisurely lunch then we'll check into our rooms. 

Around 5pm, we’ll experience a guided ritual with Clara at the Ganges to begin our "Ayurvedic transformation". You can even dip your toes in the Holy Ganges River. Tonight, we’ll participate in an Aarti Ceremony , a 1000-year-old ritual by the river, meaning “removal of sorrows" performed by a Hindu monk at sunset. The ritual uses hymns to praise higher powers and clear our minds. This ancient tradition is a ceremony of light.

We’ll stick to a Satvik diet while at the retreat. Tonight, we’ll savor our first meal in this spiritual place together. Rest will come easily as the sun sets.

After a healthy breakfast, each person will meet with Clara to consultant and determine their dosha and the treatments they’ll receive over the next few days.

Yoga for all levels, including absolute beginners, will happen daily. Your treatment over the next several days is designed to help balance the mind, body, & soul and detoxify the body. This 5000-year-old medicinal practice benefits everyone working toward perfect health.

Based on your consultation, your day might include:

Abhyanga - a full-body massage using warmed herbal oils to increase blood circulation, relieve stress & inflammation, and draw toxins out of the body.

Elakizhi therapy - helps one perspire, flushing out the toxins by massaging the body with an herb bundle soaked in warm oil. This, in turn, relieves stress, sore muscles, and body aches.

Shirodara - the process of pouring warm medicated oil slowly over the forehead. It includes a gentle head massage that relieves stress and anxiety.

Swedan - simply sweating through steaming. As many cultures recognize, a steam bath helps remove toxins from the body and prolongs your life.

Between treatments, we’ll meet for tea, lunch, and dinner. Today we'll also make time to tour the city of Rishikesh and we'll visit the ruins of the Beatles’ Ashram as well as the Pujya Swamis' Ashram. An eye opening experience to be sure. 

This evening we'll enjoy a private Nidra yoga session for our group followed by a nourishing dinner at the retreat dining room. After yoga Nidra, sleep will come easily. 

Today is a relaxing one as we move slowly from hatha yoga to breakfast to a treatment to time to wander, rest, read, or take a dip in the Ganga River.

Our lovely Clara will guides us throughout, both individually and as a group, as we go on our own physical and spiritual journey. She will engage with us one-on-one and collectively, instructing us in the Mudras and assisting us in enhancing our breathing, meditation, and mindfulness practices. 

Our daily routine will consist of a private yoga class in the morning for our group, as well as a 30-minute evening Yoga Nidra class.

Additionally, a private meditation practice will take place each evening, and one Ayurvedic treatment is included per day. You can opt for more than one treatment at an additional charge. Your meal plan will be tailored to your individual dosha. 

By tonight, you'll be well into the groove and feeling healthy and refreshed. 

For our final day, we'll arise early and participate in Yoga as well as a Dharma talk, led by Clara. We'll enjoy soaking in views of the Ganges River from your room as you journal and rest. 

Your final Ayurvedic treatment will occur, and you'll walk away with suggestions on how to take this new way of thinking about your body and spirit home with you. 

Tonight we'll enjoy a celebratory meal and special farewell experience thanking ourselves for taking time to heal ourselves and thanking those around us for going on this journey together. 

Sadly our time together has come to an end. It's time to bid farewell to new friends and the sights and sounds of the past 12 days of adventure together. 

After our final breakfast, we'll make our way to Dehra Dun for our flight back to Delhi. We'll aim to take a morning flight back to Delhi so you'll have more flexibility with your return flight home. 

(See our FAQ's for more information about flight times.)