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The Spirit of IndiaA Yoga &
Spirituality Tour of North India
March 2 –
15, 2009
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Tour Leaders: Michele Labelle is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, researcher,
and has released the CD “Breath of Life”. Mr. Karampal Singh is a
professional tour guide and teacher of the ancient spiritual wisdom of India.
Read more about Michele and Karampal on our
About Your Tour Leaders page.
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Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 Mon,
Mar 2: Arrive Delhi |
Arrive in bustling Delhi. Meet and greet on arrival at the airport and transfer
to the hotel for check in.
Overnight in Delhi |
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Day 2 Tue, Mar
3: Delhi – Jodhpur – Manvar Camp (B, D) |
 After
breakfast at hotel we drive to visit the amazingly beautiful Bahai Temple –
The Lotus of Bahapur – A Magnet for the Heart. (http://www.bahaindia.org)
In the heart of New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, a lotus-shaped outline
has etched itself on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, capturing
their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and revolutionising the concept of
worship. This is the Bahá'í Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, better known as the "Lotus
Temple". With the dawning of every new day, an ever-rising tide of visitors
surges to its doorsteps to savour its beauty and bask in its serenely spiritual
atmosphere.
Since its dedication to public worship in December 1986, this Mother Temple of
the Indian sub-continent has seen millions of people cross its threshold, making
it one of the most visited edifices in India. From its high-perched pedestal,
this 'Lotus' casts its benevolent glance over vast green lawns and avenues
covering an expanse of 26 acres of land. Its soothingly quiet Prayer Hall and
tranquil surroundings have touched the hearts of the Temple's numerous visitors,
awakening in them a desire to trace its inspirational source and capture a bit
of its peace for themselves.
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the afternoon we return to the airport for a short flight to Jodhpur, from where
we will be driven to Manvar Desert Camp. Check in to the camp, with
accommodations in deluxe tents surrounded by sand dunes in the Great Thar
Desert. It lies between the cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. It is
an unprecedented tourist destination offering a rare opportunity to enjoy
Rajasthan’s desert life, culture, wildlife & beauty. The evening is livened up
by dinner, campfire, mashaals, local musicians and dancers.
Overnight at Manvar Camp |
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Day 3 Wed, Mar 4: Manvar Camp, Jeep Safari, Tribal Villages (B, L, D) |
 Early
morning Yoga in the desert followed by breakfast at camp. Enjoy the rest of
the day at your leisure. This evening we will revel in a thrilling Jeep
Safari to visit tribal villages, see the desert wildlife, watch local crafts
people at work, and enjoy the beautiful sand dunes. After dinner we will enjoy
an evening discussion with Karampal.
Overnight at Manvar Camp
Day 4 Thu, Mar 5: Manvar
Resort; Jodhpur (B, L)Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. After
breakfast we take a short drive to the Manvar Resort. Take a dip in the pool,
enjoy the surroundings, and relish the stunning peaceful atmosphere. After lunch
at the resort we drive to Jodhpur for the evening. Tonight we enjoy an
evening Yoga class at the hotel.
Overnight in Jodhpur
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Day 5 Fri, Mar 6:
Jodhpur – Jaipur (B) |
 An early start today as we head to the train station and make our way to Jaipur.
Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel for check-in. A Traditional Welcome with
flower garlands awaits us at the Shahpura house.
The evening is yours to settle in and enjoy at your leisure.
Overnight in Jaipur
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Day 6 Sat, Mar 7: Jaipur, Hawa Mahal, Elephant Ride, Amber Fort (B, D) |
 Early
morning Yoga followed by breakfast. We then head out to enjoy a brief
photographic stop at Hawal Mahal, the Palace of Winds. Later we make our
way to the beautiful Amber Fort and enjoy a delightful Elephant Ride!
Amber Fort is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged,
time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but once
inside, the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls
depict hunting and war scenes as well as festivals, and precious stones and
mirrors are embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the
Elephant Ride all the way up to the Fort entrance. This adventure is bound to
enrich your memories of the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with
a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort, visit the Jag Mandir or the
Hall of Victory. Dinner this evening at the Shahpura House Rooftop Restaurant.
Overnight in Jaipur |
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Day
7 Sun, Mar 8: Jaipur, Maharaja City Palace, Jantar Mantar (B) |
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an early morning Yoga class to get us ready for the day. After breakfast
at the hotel, we tour the “Pink City” of Jaipur. We visit Maharaja’s
City Palace, the former Royal residence. Part of the Palace has been
converted into a museum, while a small portion is still used by the Royal Family
of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost
one-seventh of the area of the city. The main entrance leads to the courtyard at
the centre which is the Murbarak Mahal. One of the major attractions in
the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum. On the first floor is
the Textile and Costume Museum, with the finest example of fabrics and
costumes from all over India. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest
stone and marble crafted observatory in the world built by Jai Singh from
1728 to 1734. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the Observatory has 17
large instruments, many of them still in working condition. The afternoon is
free for independent activities.
Overnight in Jaipur
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Day 8 Mon, Mar 9: Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Overnight Train (B) |
 After
breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Agra while stopping enroute to visit the
deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Located 40 km from Agra, the city
was built in 1569 by Emperor Akbar in honour of the great Sain Sheikh Chisti,
who blessed Akbar and prophesied the birth of three sons to the heirless
Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully
occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and fell to ruin after Akbar
left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of
this beautiful city. Here we will visit the remarkably well-preserved and
graceful building with the “Ghost City”, including the Jama Masjid, tomb of
Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak to the grandeur
and splendour of the Mughal Empire in the height of its power.
In the afternoon we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Agra, a city on the banks
of the Yamua River. At one time Agra served as the capital city for the great
Mughal Empire, and is now the repository of some of their finest architectural
creations. The Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573,
reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and
design. Construction for this fort palace was initiated by Akbar as a purely
defensive citadel. It was subsequently completed by two successive generations
that added the delicate mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the
history of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal.
After visiting the fort we make our way to the stunning Taj Mahal. Built
by Sha Jahan in 1630 for his Queen, Mumatz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains,
it is described as “a tear on the face of eternity” by the poet laureate Tagore
and is an enduring monument to love. This architectural marvel is a perfectly
proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to
the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and
Italy. The construction of this “Love Poem in Marble” took 17 years to complete.
Later transfer to the railway station to connect for our overnight train (Magadh
Express) to Varanasi, departing at 11:30 PM.
Overnight Train |
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Day 9 Tue, Mar 10:
Varanasi, Aarti Ceremony (B) |
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 Arrive
in Varanasi at 7:40 AM and transfer to hotel for check-in. The rest of the day
is yours to enjoy at your leisure. In the evening we witness the intriguing
Aarti Ceremony (collective prayer) and watch the floating oil lamps on the
river Ganges. Enjoy the mystical scene of Ghats and temples lit with oil-lamp
lights or candles, and observe the people performing their prayers.
Overnight in Varanasi
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Day 10
Wed, Mar 11: Varanasi, Boat Ride on River Ganges (B) |
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 Awake
in the early morning and revel in a relaxing boat ride on the holy River
Ganges. Later we will enjoy Yoga in the Ghats overlooking the sacred
river. We then visit the Old City of Varanasi before visiting Bharat
Mata Mandir, Durga Temple. On our way back we drive past the Banaras
Hindu University before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Enjoy the rest
of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Varanasi
Day
11 Thu, Mar 12: Varanasi, Sarnath (B)
After breakfast at the hotel we visit Sarnath, where Lord Bhudda preached
his first sermon “Maha-Dharma-Chakra-Pravartan” (in Buddhist terminology,
“turned the wheel of law”), after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the
richest in Buddhist antiquities ranging in dates from the time of Ashoka to the
12th century AD. Ashoka built here the Dharmarajika Stupa and near it erected a
pillar surmounted by the magnificent capital of four adored Lions, which today
forms the national emblem of India. Among other structures at Sarnath are the
ruins of the brick temple, representing the Mulagandha kuti, ruins of stupas,
and monasteries. Sarnath has also yielded an extremely rich collection of
Buddhist sculptures comprising of numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva images which
can be seen at the Archaeological Museum in Sarnath. Later in the afternoon or
early evening enjoy a relaxing Yoga class. We then enjoy a group dinner at the
Hindustan Hotel Restaurant. Evening discussion with Karampal.
Overnight in Varanasi |
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Day 12 Fri, Mar 13:
Varanasi to Khajuraho (B) |
 Awake
early this morning for an energizing Yoga Class to start the day followed
by breakfast. We then transfer to the airport for our flight to Khajuraho. Upon
arrival we transfer to our hotel for check in. Enjoy the rest of the day at your
leisure.
Overnight in Khajuraho
Day 13 Sat, Mar 14: Khajuraho
(B, D)
Another early morning Yoga Class prior to breakfast and then a full day
visit to the Eastern and Western Group of Temples. The Western Group
houses the Kandariya Mahdeo Temple, the most important temple of the
grouping dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest and most typical of
the Khajuraho temples. We also visit the Chaunsat Yogini Jain Temple
dedicated to the 64 “Yoginis” or attendants of the goddess Kali. This temple
stands apart from the rest.
The Easter Group includes the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple
dedicated to the “Vamana” or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the
Javarti Temple. There are also three Jain Temples which contain numerous
Vaishnav deities.
In the evening enjoy a Sound and Light Show in Khajuraho followed by your
Farewell Dinner. Gather with new-found friends to share stories and
relive the wonderful memories of all our extraordinary experiences.
Overnight in Khajuraho |
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Day 14 Sun,
Mar 15 Khajuraho to Delhi - Depart Delhi (B) |
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After breakfast we will gather for our Closing Sharing Circle to share
our favourite experiences from our journey and to bid everyone farewell. We then
check out of the hotel by noon. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for
our afternoon flight to Delhi and then on to our individual return flights home. |
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(B =
Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. |
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Tour Inclusions
& Price |
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Your Journey Includes: |
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- 12 nights accommodation in 4* Star Hotels and Manvar Desert Camp, plus 1
night sleeper birth on overnight train Agra/Varanasi
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Buffet Breakfast Daily
- 3 Dinners in Jaipur, Varanasi and Khajuraho
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Manvar Camp and Lunch at Manvar Resort
- All transfers, sightseeing tours, excursions as per itinerary
- Private Transportation in air-conditioned coach
- English speaking Tour Escort for entire trip
- Entrance fees at all places of visits
- Train fare - 2nd AC sleeper – Agra/Varanasi - Magadh Express
- Domestic Airfare - Delhi/Jodhpur, Jodhpur/Jaipur, Varanasi/Khajuraho and
Khajuraho/Delhi
- All Gratuities/Tips (for guides, drivers, housekeeping, porters,
waitstaff, etc. - $100 per person included)
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| Special
Added Features: |
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- Travel with Yoga Teacher Michele Labelle and local Spiritual Guide
Karampal Singh
- Yoga and Meditation Classes with Michele Labelle
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Boat ride on Sacred River Ganges in Varanasi
- Aarti Ceremony in Varanasi
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| Tour
does not include: |
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- International Airfare to Delhi
- Cancellation & Medical Insurance (ask us for a quote if you are
Canadian)
- Meals and drinks not included, as indicated in the itinerary
- Cost to obtain valid passport and visa (Visa required for India)
- Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks and telephone
calls. Any item that is not specifically detailed on our website or in the
final trip itinerary
- Day Rooms in Delhi on last evening
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Tour Price |
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| Tour Price Per Person (Land Only) |
Single Supplement |
Gratuities |
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USD $3,500.00 |
USD $707.00 |
Included in Tour Price |
Note: Gratuities are to cover guides, drivers, waiters, baggage
handling, etc. Your Tour Escort will carry and disburse these funds so that you
can relax and enjoy your trip, knowing that everyone assisting you is being
taken care of properly.
Note: The single supplement is ONLY for those who would like to secure a
private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price. If you are
not traveling with anyone you know and would like to share a room, we will be
happy to work to find you a suitable roommate. Per our Terms and Conditions,
registration for the tour will be held open until two weeks before the departure
date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have
not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to
pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this
process. |
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© 2003 - 2010 Sacred
Earth Journeys.
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