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Buddhism, International Yoga Festival and The Taj
with Michele Baker and Melanie Buffett
Dharamsala, Rishikesh, Agra
February 23 - March 7, 2012
$3695
Varanasi Pre-Trip Extension
February 19-23, 2012
$995
Includes 2 meals/day (3 meals during Yoga Fest), all domestic transportation, lodging, park entrance tickets, guides, yoga festival ticket. Does not include international airfare, leader tips, alcohol, charitable donations, airport departure taxi, traveler's insurance.
Journey to mystical India to explore its spiritual essence on our signature Buddhism, International Yoga Festival and the Taj trip. Begin the journey in
Dharamsala, which in Hindi means "shelter for spiritual pilgrims."
Nestled high in the Himalayan mountains, the Dalai Lama and thousands of
exhiled Tibetans call Dharamsala home. Interact with Buddhist monks and
nuns, learn
to cook a traditional Tibetan dish, visit a school for Tibetan children run by the Dalai Lama's family,
and hike to a temple in the majestic Himalayas. From there, travel to Rishikesh,
considered the birthplace of Yoga,
for the 2012 International Yoga Festival
at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. This Ashram is a favorite and each day
renowned yoga teachers and Swamis from India and all over the world
teach a variety of classes. Enjoy 5 days of yoga to transcend
your practice to a whole new level. Chant at the nightly Aarti Ceremony on the banks of the Ganges, have darshan with Swamiji, spiritual leader of the Ashram, hike to Neelkanth Temple in the Himalayan foothills, cleanse your sins in The Ganges River, get lost in the abandoned Maharishi's Ashram where the Beatles wrote The White Album, and help underprivileged children at The Ganga Valley School. Continue on to Agra for two nights. Tour the Agra Fort, its red sandstone glowing at sunset, to learn how Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his own son for 8 years. Wake up early to explore the magnificent Taj Mahal, the "most perfect structure in the world", at sunrise. See for yourself why the Taj is one of the Wonders of the World. Return to
New Delhi to visit Gandhi's memorial and do any last minute shopping.
Complete details about the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh
Varanasi Pre-Trip Extension
For those really wishing to dive deep into the essence of India, we
offer an added 3 day/4 night pre-trip extension to Varanasi. Also known as
Benares, this 3000 year old city is one of the oldest cities in the
world and one of holiest places in India for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists
alike. Mark Twain called Varanasi "older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together”.
Wander along the ghats watching life unfold along the Holy Mother
Ganges. Witness the ceremonial bathing at sunrise before practicing yoga
at a local family's home overlooking the Sacred Ganges. Learn
philosophy from a renowned yoga scholar. Take bike rickshaws around the
"city of Temples" to Hanuman, Durga, and the Golden Temples. End the
trip with a visit to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha first preached his
message of Enlightenment to his 5 disciples. Sit under the Bodhi tree,
explore ancient relics and circumnavigate the giant Stupa before an
eye-opening drive through the rural countryside to the airport.
Register for this event and receive 40% off your entire order from Omala Designs!
These eco-hip bamboo yoga clothes are perfect for the hot temperatures
of India.
Enter promo code "OMTravel" upon checkout.
Offer expires
January 1, 2012 and does not apply to sale items.
They say in India, Sub Kulch Malega or Anything is Possible.
Things rarely happen quite like you expect. Our schedules are an
outline. In the event of unforeseeable circumstances the itinerary may
change. An enjoyable experience takes precedence over everything else.
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