The Spirit of India Tour!
12 Day Tour
March 15th to 26th, 2024
Space Is Very Limited!
"India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition." - Mark Twain
Calling all adventurers, culture enthusiasts, and wanderlust seekers!
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary voyage to the mesmerizing land of India?
Get ready to immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and a deep spiritual heritage that will leave you breathless!
During this 12-Day Experience through Northern India, meditation teacher, Anthony Profeta, & the Yogi Perogi's, yoga instructor, Koah Mascolo, will lead you on this magical journey visiting some of the holiest sites in the world as well as the area known as India's Golden Triangle.
Some of the very special things you will get to experience:
Sit and meditate under the Bodhi Tree where Buddha attained his Enlightenment
Stand in awe before the iconic Taj Mahal
Have the opportunity to hike a waterfall or enjoy a variety of Yoga classes in Rishikesh
Ride an elephant into Jaipur's ("the pink city") Fort
Dance and play as we celebrate the festival of Holi together.
The places you will visit and explore are some of the most sacred places to the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, & the Baha'i Faith.
And as we travel together, you will learn all about these traditions as well as India's ancient history.
Of course, you will also indulge your taste buds in a culinary adventure like no other as you savor the aromatic spices and diverse delicacies of this nation.
And throughout the adventure there will be optional meditation opportunities, yoga, and other spiritual practices along the way.
All of this is offered to you, in order to allow you to become more present and connect with the AMAZING ENERGY of these sacred places!
SOME CITIES WE WILL VISIT:
1. Delhi - India's Capital Arrival & Departure city
2. Bodhgaya - Most sacred city to Buddhist's (Place of Buddha's Enlightenment)
3. Rishikesh - Yoga Capital of the World (Sacred city of meditation)
4. Jaipur - "The Pink City" known for it's colorful gems & the capital of Rajasthan.
5. Agra - City of the Taj Mahal & where we will participate in the Celebration of Holi!
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE!
Don't miss out on this incredible Adventure!
Book your spot on this SPIRIT OF INDIA Tour Today!
Day 1 - Depart US & Arrive In Delhi
Arrive in Delhi on MARCH 15th. You will need to leave US on 14th!
(Some travelers like to arrive a couple of days early to rest and get acclimated to the time change. This can easily be arranged with the tour company.)
Upon arrival you will be met by our representative.
After clearing customs and picking up your bag you will be transferred to our hotel for check-in.
Depending on what time you arrive, the rest of this day is at leisure.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 - Discover Delhi!
March 16th: After relaxed breakfast you will head out for a sightseeing tour of Delhi.
Some place you will visit & see:
Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi which is one of the most visited sites in Delhi.
Jama Masjid - the largest mosque of India - and learn a bit about the Islamic influence and history.
You will take a rickshaw ride in Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's Shahjahanabad city (old Delhi) which is definitely one of the prime attractions of Delhi. Visit Chandni Chowk walk through the spice market experiencing all its aromas and sounds.
During this journey you will drive past India Gate, the Grand Government Buildings, & the President’s House.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 3 - Bodhgaya: Buddha's Land of Enlightenment!
March 17th: Morning transfer to airport to board your flight to Gaya. After your arrival in Gaya, you will be transferred to your Bodhgaya hotel.
Bodhgaya is the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment, It is where Buddha literally became "Buddha". Buddha is a title which means "one who is awake." And so, it was here that Siddartha Gautama sat down under the Bodhi Tree and attained his enlightenment. Which is why Bodhgaya is also known as "the land of enlightenment."
Bodhgaya is situated near the Niranjana river and the spiritual home to many Buddhists. It is their most sacred city and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers.
You will visit the beautiful Mahabodhi temple, learn a bit about Buddhism, and you will get to sit underneath the very sacred and holy Bodhi Tree.
Overnight at the hotel in Bodhgaya
Day 4 - Bodhgaya Monastery Tour
March 18th: After breakfast you will explore more of this holy city. Bodhgaya is a city sacred to both Hindus & Buddhists, and it has another name "the land of a thousand monasteries".
And so, this morning/afternoon you will tour a sampling of some of the different monastery styles such as Zen, Tibetan, Chinese, etc... You will learn about both Mahayana & Theravada Buddhists and their different paths to enlightenment.
Overnight in Bodhgaya
Day 5 - Rishikesh: Yoga Capital of the World!
March 19th: After breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight to Dehradun. After our arrival in Dehradun you will continue your drive to Rishikesh.
Rishikesh - also known as the 'place of sages', at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that God by the name of 'Hrishikesh' had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name.
Rishikesh is a haven for people who are interested in meditation, yoga, and other aspects of Hinduism. It was here in the late 60's that the Beatles, Donovan, Mia Farrow, and members of the Beach boys flocked to study meditation with the Maharishi.
In Rishikesh visit Laxman Jhula - a hanging bridge on the river Ganga is one of the most famous spots in Rishikesh. According to Indian mythology, Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama crossed the Ganga with the help of hanging bridge made of Jute. The bridge offers a scenic view of the river Ganga as it tumbles down to Haridwar. Arrive Rishikesh and transfer to hotel.
Night stay in Rishikesh
Day 6 - Rishikesh
March 20th: Today is another day to explore Rishikesh!
Today you will do some communing with nature and be heading up the Ganges to a very sacred place known as Vashishtha Cave. Then on your way back we will stop to hike the Neer waterfall.
This cave is an ancient site where the great sage Vasishtha meditated. According to Hindu mythology, Vasishtha was the son of Lord Brahman. The cave was used by a disciple of the Ramakrishna order who attained his enlightenment within it & people from all around the world come & meditate here. This place also been visited by Popes, Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda & Sai Baba.
Also, be sure during your time in Rishikesh to check out the local Yoga classes, as well as, ayurvedic spa treatments in the area.
Overnight at the hotel in Rishikesh
Day 7 - Rishikesh
March 21st: Today will be a perfect day to explore the surrounding ashrams, yoga, and spiritual centers of Rishikesh.
We can explore the Maharishi Ashram aka BEATLES ASHRAM. It was here in 1968 that the Beatles spent many days & nights studying Transcendental meditation back in the late 60's!
Many of the songs which found their way onto "the White Album" & "Abbey Road" where written here in this very place.
This is another great day to check out a yoga class or schedule a treatment at an Ayurvedic Spa.
Overnight at the hotel in Rishikesh
Day 8 - Jaipur: The Pink City & Land of Gems!
March 22nd: After breakfast, you will check-out and be transferred to Dehradun airport to board flight to Jaipur.
Jaipur, the land of Maharajas (the "Great Rulers" or "Great Kings"). Jaipur is also the fabled "pink city" of the desert named after Jai Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur.
This is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe through the nine rectangular sectors subdividing it. The palaces and forts of the yester-years, which were witnesses to the royal processions and splendors, are now living monuments.
Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 9 - Jaipur: City of the Maharajas
March 23rd: After breakfast, proceed to an excursion to Amber Fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started in 1592, its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing.
JAL MAHAL - The Jal Mahal was declared as a protected area by the government after which the entry to this wondrous Jal Mahal place has been restricted. Earlier there were boat rides to around the palace. However, it still makes an amazing location for a romantic evening stroll. The pathway outside the Jal Mahal. Tourists are free to spend as much time as they like and click as many pictures as they want.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
TEXTILE FACTORY - Explore Textile factory in Jaipur, where you can observe the traditional wood block printing and tie and dye fabrics. Also visit the paper factory.
Night stay in Jaipur
Day 10 - Agra: The City Of Love!
March 24th: After breakfast, check-out of hotel and drive to Agra.
After your arrival in Agra you will visit magnificent TAJ MAHAL - Built by Shah Jahan. The Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Afterwards, you will visit AGRA FORT. This fort is built in red sandstone with its magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and the beautiful gardens. This is where Emperor Shah Jahan was kept under house arrest by his third son Aurangzeb and spent the last year of his life viewing the Taj Mahal from across the river Jamuna. Later transfer to hotel.
Night stay in Agra.
Day 11 - Agra: Happy Holi!
March 25th: Happy Holi! A day of COLORFUL FUN!
Today you will be celebrating the Holi festival in Agra!!
Holi is an ancient Hindu spring festival, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is celebrated since time immemorial but the celebration seems to be rising and enjoyed by more people each year predominantly in India and Nepal, but it has also spread to other areas of Asia and parts of the Western world through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.
Holi is popularly known as the Indian "festival of spring", the "festival of colors", or the "festival of love". The festival signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.
Night stay in Agra.
Day 12 - Good Bye, India!
March 26th: After breakfast check-out hotel and drive to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfers to airport to board your onward flight to back home.
End of trip!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Representative to meet you at Airports
All transfers from / to airports in private vehicles
3 Domestic Airfare Flights: 1. Delhi to Gaya, 2. Gaya to Dehradun, 3. Dehradun to Jaipur (Please Note: With soaring fuel prices there could be a potential surcharge for airfare depending upon your date of sign-up).
11 night Hotel stays w/ breakfast
Sight seeing in air-conditioned bus
Fully Guided English-speaking tour guides, entrance fees & other site fees
Boat Ride On Ganges
Private A/C Transportation
Guided Meditations at sacred sites
WHAT'S EXCLUDED:
International RT Airfare
Visas
Any items of personal nature, laundry, telephone calls, beverages
Tips for Drivers and Guides
Anything Not Mentioned in Itinerary
PRICING: (based on double occupancy)
(Please Note: Increasing fuel prices & rising airfare fees could add a small surcharge to your included domestic India airfare tickets depending upon the date you sign up).
Oct 15th to January 1st: $4,250pp
After January 1st 2024: $4,500pp
Please note:
$500 Deposit secures your space
Prices are based on Double Occupancy Rooms
Additional $1295 for single room upgrades
***Trip Must Be Paid In Full By January 14th, 2024***
We are so happy to offer you this trip.
And we hope you can join us as we experience and explore India's Sacred Spiritual Heritage.
Click Here to Reserve Your Space or For Any Questions
About Anthony & Koah:
Of course, in addition to your meditation and yoga facilitators you will also be led through India by local, expert and knowledgeable English-speaking guides.
Anthony Profeta, CMT-P:
Anthony is a former medical student turned internationally-renown meditation teacher, mindfulness instructor, and singing bowl specialist. His knowledge stems from over two decades of intensive study and practice in monasteries and meditation centers of the US, Nepal, Italy & India. he considers himself very blessed to have studied under the direct mentorship of such meditation masters as Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and the Dalai Lama.
Anthony's Good Vibrations: Sound Bath Experiences have SOLD OUT venues across the nation. Anthony has been featured in many media publications including Florida Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, the Elephant Journal, and the Huffington Post.
He is a featured teacher on the INSIGHT TIMER meditation APP and his sound and guided meditations are available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, etc...
Koah Mascolo, 500hr E-RYT, RPYT:
Koah's journey started in psychology and mental health care before finding her true passion in teaching yoga and meditation. It all began when what started as a way for her to battle her own mental demons soon turned into a hobby, then a passion, and now her way of life!
Koah says that yoga allows her to tap into her strengths and weaknesses. It constantly reminds her to not force things in all aspects of her life. It has also given her the opportunity to grow stronger and more flexible in body and mind.
When not practicing or teaching yoga Koah enjoys listening to music, traveling, making art, but mostly loves just spending time with her wonderful community, husband, dog and two cats.