My passion in this life is to walk and awaken next to women through lived experience. There is no place on this earth which touches me as deeply as India for this awakening....to whatever she is showing us at this time in our lives.
I am traveling back next month, my fourth time in the past year and a half. Each time I go, I learn and grow. This journey is one of "living our yoga" so it differs from a typical "India yoga retreat." I have lived and studied in an Indian ashram which I loved (but certainly isn't for everybody!) and have found that the best way to stretch our minds, stretch our boundaries, and build fluidity in our own being is through a fuller and broader Immersion.
I will take you off the beaten path into villages, through the old spice markets, to the sacred Ma Ganga and each will feel so different, so vibrant, so crazy and so alive.
At the end of the day, my greatest joy is traveling with women. When we commune with one another, share experiences, break bread (let alone halfway across the world), magic happens. I witnessed this so many times over the years hosting retreats and immersions.
The group I took to India this past Fall said the deepest and most lasting impression was remembering the spirit and support of womanhood.
Next September we will traverse the internal and external landscapes of ourselves and this sacred land, finding what it means to be immersed a land so vastly different from our own.
It is no secret that my travels to India have been profound. It brings me to my knees each time I have the privilege to travel there. I learn so much about myself, humanity and the world by being is her presence. To bring a group of women to immerse both spiritually and culturally is the highest privilege.
The current India 2017 immersion HAS ONE ROOM (2 SPOTS) OPEN. If you would like more information or be the first to know about future trips, please contact me below.
India Immersion Itinerary Fall 2017
Sunday September 24th:
Namaste. Welcome to India! Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the airport hotel. Hotel: JW Marriott
Monday September 25th:
Morning at leisure to rest after your journey. Then, transfer to Haveli Dharampura in Chandni Chowk. Enjoy an afternoon walk through the bustling and vibrant streets. Witness the architectural marvels, the multicolored facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed locals, and the fragrances emanating from the potpourri of eateries that line the historical alleys. Enjoy dinner at Lakhori in the evening. Overnight. Hotel: Haveli Dharampura
Tuesday September 26th:
In the morning, transfer to the rail station for your train to Haridwar. Enjoy a 5-hour journey through the countryside and villages. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Located on the Ganges River, Haridwar is a pilgrimage destination – a town of temples, ghats and ashrams. Visit the neighboring temples. In the evening, experience a traditional Aarti ceremony on the banks of the river. Overnight at the Haveli Hara Ganga, a restored mansion built in 1913 and Haridwar’s first heritage hotel.
Wednesday September 27th:
Optional morning yoga and blessing. After breakfast, drive to Rishikesh (45 minutes). Temples and ashrams line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free, and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town. Return to Haridwar for an evening at leisure.
Thursday September 28th:
In the morning, transfer to the Dehradun airport for your flight to Udaipur via Delhi. With a wealth of enchanting lakes, Udaipur is a true oasis in Rajasthan. Dotted with marble palaces, hibiscus gardens and fountain pavilions, Udaipur appeals to the imagination of poets, painters, and writers. The city's inherent romance, beauty and its remarkable past redolent with episodes of heroism and splendor continue to enthrall travelers. Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. Surrounded by hills and mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, it is a truly enchanting city. Narrow streets lined with vividly colored stalls, gardens, temples and palaces mirrored in the placid blue waters of Lake Pichola add to the magic of Udaipur. In the evening, enjoy a private boat ride on Lake Pichola. Evening at leisure and overnight. Hotel: Fateh Garh
Friday September 29th:
Day at leisure. Optional programs include morning yoga, a visit to City Palace, or shopping in the local markets. Overnight.
Saturday September 30th:
After breakfast, drive to the Ranakpur Jain Temple (2 horus). The drive takes you across the Aravalli Hills, considered the oldest mountain range in the world. The scenery along the way is superb and you will see many vignettes of Rajasthani rural life - colorful villages, farms where an ancient system of irrigation using bullocks and a Persian wheel are still in practice, outdoor schools, and the sartorially vibrant people who add a splash of color to the countryside. There are endless opportunities for photography. Your destination is one of the architectural gems of the area, the white marble Jain Temple at Ranakpur. Surrounded by tangled forests with monkeys abounding in the courtyard, Ranakpur is one of the five important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. The temple, including the extraordinary array of 1144 pillars, is distinct in design with carved ceilings and arches decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain saints. Enjoy lunch at Fatehbagh and then continue to Rajsamand (2 hours). Enjoy a home stay at Devshree. Overnight.
Sunday October 1st:
Morning yoga and meditation. Later, enjoy a host of activities to immerse in a traditional Rajasthani town. Overnight.
Monday October 2nd:
Today, drive to Jaipur (4.5 hours) and transfer to your hotel. Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, owes its name, foundation and planning to the great astronomer and warrior Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city is fondly called the “Pink City” due to the pink colored buildings and avenues. In the evening, visit Elefantastic for dinner and elephant experience. Hotel: Dera Mandawa
Tuesday October 3rd:
Morning at leisure to explore the markets! Later, drive to Dausa (2 hours). Arrive at your hotel, the Talabgaon Castle – a 200-year-old, beautifully restored fort nestled in the palm of rustic nature. As the castle is situated in middle of rustic Rajasthan, you experience the authentic rural Rajasthani lifestyle. Evening at leisure and overnight.
Wednesday October 4th:
Day at leisure to experience the stunning countryside of Rajasthan. We will visit surrounding villages, a market, and enjoy lunch at a traditional mud house on a local farm. Later, enjoy a Rajasthani cuisine cooking class. Sample the spices and learn recipes that you can take home and enjoy. Evening at leisure and overnight.
Thursday October 5th:
After breakfast, drive to Agra (4.5 hours). Visit the Taj Mahal at sunset. Built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj took over 22 years and 20,000 men to build. The monument is truly a wonder of the world. Evening at leisure and overnight. Hotel: ITC Mughal
Friday October 6th:
In the morning, drive to Delhi. En-route, visit Mathura and tour the Krishna temples/other sites. Later, continue to Delhi (3 hours) and enjoy final shopping and a farewell dinner with the group. Following, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Bon Voyage!
