DAY 1 | THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Our team will pick you up at Bangalore International Airport (BLR). After some rest and relaxation, we will feast on a welcome dinner, get to know the amazing people that will be on this journey with you. Post-dinner, we have the option to explore the neighborhood and local streets for those who aren’t incredibly jet-lagged.

Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2 | THE YOGA OF SOUND & NIGHT MARKETS

After a morning orientation and grounding meditation with Bill Free, we will participate in a Nada Yoga sound session which combines the wisdom of the ancient scriptures and the modern scientific approach towards sound as the basis of all life forms. We will follow the session up with a 45 minute traditional light yoga and breathing class and a whole-foods, Sattvic lunch. In the evening we will meander through one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city full of flower markets and street vendors. Dinner will be at one of the city’s oldest restaurants known for it’s masala dosa and filter coffee.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 | THE SPIRITUALITY AND CARE OF ANIMALS + A HOME COOKED MEAL ON BANANA LEAVES

After a light yoga and meditation session, we will visit an animal rehabilitation center to learn about animal spirituality and the importance of animals in Indian teachings. We'll speak with the doctors to understand the challenges and opportunities of animal rehabilitation and the role of animal spirituality in the country. In the evening we will visit a local family’s home for a traditional home-cooked dinner on banana leaves.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 | DANCE OF THE DIVINE

After a grounding meditation and breakfast, we visit an intentional community in a small village that uses dance as devotion to to a deity named Jagannath, or lord of the universe. The dancers will take us through their daily practice while explaining their practice of transcendence. The evening will be free for you to visit a cafe, walk the streets or have some self-reflective solo time.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 | A ROAD TRIP AND STEP BACK IN TIME

Today we embark on a road trip to an ancient heritage site called Tiruvannamalai-home to India’s most renowned sages like Shri Ramana Maharishi. After a drive through the southern countryside, we will have lunch typical Tamil lunch near the ashram. After an introduction to Ramana’s non-dual teachings, we will settle down for tea at the Ramanashram, followed by a reading of his teachings. After meditation and a visit to the Virupaksha cave, we will have a dinner at the ashram, made possible by volunteers and devotees.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 | SACRED HILLS, CAVES, AND DEVOTION

After a relaxed morning, we will explore Arunachala Hill and Temple while learning about the traditions, folk tales and why devotees from around India believe that it is a manifestation of Shiva. On our walk we will stop at sacred structures, chai stalls and smoothie stalls and listen to prayers and chants. The walk around Arunachala brings together people from all over India and the world, and is believed that their souls have planned to be together and meet on that very day. The evening is free to explore one of the many restaurants solo or in small groups.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 | YOGA, BREATH WORK, VIEWS AND MUSIC

Visitors to Tiruvannamalai often find it to be an energetically charged land. For this reason, we’ll start this morning off with an optional yoga class and meditation. We will have lunch at an open air cafe with beautiful views of Arunachala Hill. In the evening we will gather for kirtan, or devotional music with local musicians.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 | FREE MORNING AND BACK TO BANGALORE After a silent breakfast, spend the morning solo or in small groups to do what draws you in to the city. For some it may be morning prayers at Ramanashram, for others it may be doing some last minute shopping. We leave to go back to the city of Bangalore where dinner will be at a rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views of the Garden City. Tonight we celebrate the multiple forms of India-ancient and spiritual, modern and contemporary.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | SIKHISM & SERVICE TO ALL;
STREET FOOD TOUR

On our last full day together, we start the morning with yoga and meditation to soak in the journey so far. In the afternoon, we visit the Sikh Gurudwara and learn about Sikhism’s influence in historical and modern India-their commitment to serving all through food, covid-19 relief, and community service. We will have lunch at the Gurudwara, a selfless act of feeding people from all walks of life by volunteers. We will meander around the neighboring Ulsoor Lake for quiet contemplation. Tonight we visit one of the most bustling night food markets where we will try street food and interesting snacks from around the country.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 | GOODBYE BRUNCH & AIRPORT DROP OFFS

Our last meal together will be full of laughs, stories, and plans to meet again around the world. After brunch, we will begin airport drop offs starting at 2 PM and onwards. For those with late night flights, you have the option of doing ayurvedic massages, last minute shopping, or settling into a cafe. We can also arrange a visit to the Ramana Center in Bangalore for those wanting to pay a visit. Today we leave for the airport with new memories and new friends.

Meals included: Breakfast