UNCOVERING INDIA’s SPIRITUAL HEART
Join Mazie Hollenbaugh and Escape To on a colorful adventure across North India uncovering the country’s spiritual undercurrent unique to each city and village. Explore the culture, sights and sounds of this ancient country on a group tour, meander through old bazaars in the Pink City and visit yoga and meditation ashrams overlooking the Ganges river, learn about ancient philosophies and soak in the stunning Taj Mahal at sunrise. On this inward and outward journey, we will seemingly travel through India’s past, present and future from its’ ancient spirituality, royal kingdoms and stunning history. Through this small group tour, you’ll take away a love for life in all its beauty. serenity and chaos, while making life-long friendships with spiritual travelers from all over the world and deeply immersing yourself in North Indian culture. Yoga classes and discussions are led by Mazie Hollenbaugh.
Dates: October 19th-29th 2024
Location: New Delhi, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, and Rishikesh
Price in USD: $4,695 for sharing with one other person / $5,395 for a private room
Questions: Email prachi@fairkonnect.com
What's on the Itinerary?
DAY 1 | THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Our team will pick you up at New Delhi Airport. After some rest and relaxation, we will have a welcome dinner, get to know the amazing people that will be on this journey with you and explore the neighborhood for those who aren't incredibly jet-lagged.
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 | COLORFUL DELHI STREETS
After breakfast and arrival orientation, we will go on an art walk exploring the country’s first art district, weaving through India’s past, future, ecology and stories through the eyes of Indian and international artists. After lunch, we will visit one of the largest sanctuaries and temples with the ethos of serving the under-resourced communities of Delhi, the Sikh temple with a beautiful lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
““Prachi and her team take the time to make an unforgettable travel experience. Our accommodations, transportation and overall discovery of India were carefully curated. They were there for us when things went sideways and took care of us. This was a life changing experience that I will never forget.””
DAY 3 | FREE AFTERNOON + SOUTH INDIAN DINNER
We’ll begin our day with yoga in the morning led by Mazie, and followed by breakfast. We will then have the option of having a free afternoon for those that want to soak in the adventure thus far. For others who may want to explore the history and architecture of India, we will offer optional excursions to the stunning architecture of Akshardham where you can relax in the gardens for hours or hop into a museum that showcases treasures dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. In the evening, we meet up for dinner to taste unique Indian foods like paniyarams, idlis and rava dosas. Tonight we sleep a little earlier so that we can get up for the early morning ride to the Taj Mahal.
Photo taken by Brian Baldrati
DAY 4 | A MORNING AT THE TAJ MAHAL
The early morning drive to Agra will be worth the breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. We’ll soak in stories, history and views of the Taj. For lunch, we will meet a women’s cooperative working to provide economic opportunity to acid attack and abuse survivors. Tonight we arrive in Jaipur and take it easy with dinner and a whole lot of rest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 | PALACES, ASTRONOMY & ARTISANS
We are in the Pink City! After yoga and breakfast, we’ll take you out to explore the stunning beauty of Jaipur, it’s royal past and opulent architecture through it’s old city bazaars and lunch at the Palace grounds. You have the afternoon free to buy tickets for a special private tour of the royal Palace, visit the astronomy park, or simply relax with a glass of wine or coffee to soak in the experience thus far. Dinner will be at one of our favorite local cafes where we’ll get to sample Indian street food and soothing Ayurvedic vegan khichari.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
“I just wanted to thank Pradeep and Prachi of Escape To from the bottom of my heart for making this trip so special. It can be a little daunting to travel alone when you’re a more ‘mature lady’ but you tailored the activities perfectly and made sure everyone was cared for perfectly. I can say with complete honesty the trip outweighed any expectations I may have had - and what you are doing to showcase your wonderful country, in an ethical and conscious way is truly inspiring. Thank you for everything, i loved every second and I’ll see you next year!! I’m definitely coming back, and I don’t even want to look at any other travel companies because I don’t believe they could do better. ”
DAY 6 | A HIDDEN ROYAL TREASURE AND THE CITY AT SUNSET
After a relaxing yoga class and breakfast, you can take the day to relax, journal, and rest at the hotel. For those that would prefer to explore Jaipur’s past, there will be an optional post-lunch excursion to an ancient fort that provides a glimpse into ancient India, it’s history over the centuries and how life was like for the royal families. The gorgeous views of the city will be even more breathtaking at sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: OFF TO THE MOUNTAINS
After yoga and breakfast, you have the option to relax by the pool, go to a local coffee shop or get in last minute shopping. Around 3 PM we will head to the airport and dramatically change our views as we make our way over to the base of the Himalayan Mountains….the spiritual and mystical city of Rishikesh.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: THE YOGA CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Our first morning in Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world! After breakfast, we will visit an abandoned ashram that is equal parts fascinating and mystical. We’ll learn about Transcedental Meditation and meander the streets of this holy town by the powerful Ganga river, full of evening fire ceremonies, temples, and spiritual centers.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: ASHRAM VISIT, MEDITATION DISCOURSE, AND DIGESTIVE BREATHING CLASS
Today we will visit a live ashram with a meditation and spiritual discourse teacher, have a silent lunch on site and learn about digestive breathing. Rishikesh is all about different yoga teachers teaching their style of meditation, breathing and yoga and this visit will help us explore one aspect of this sacred town’s teachings. Later during the day, we will head to the Beatles Cafe for a gorgeous sunset overlooking the Ganga River and some of the best tasting vegan burgers and turmeric lattes you will try in India.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: FREE DAY AND GOODBYE DINNER
After yoga from a local teacher, we’ll take you to a riverside rooftop cafe where you can get Ayurvedic massages, drink delicious chai, and have lunch by the river (at this very place you see in the picture!). This is one of our favorite Ayurvedic centers in the city. In the evening, we’ll head into town for a goodbye dinner where we will share reflections on the adventure and make plans to visit each other around the world again.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: AIRPORT DROP OFFS
After hotel checkout, catch your domestic flight from Dehradhun (booked by us) to Delhi so that you can fly back to your international destination. You will be dropped off at the Dehradhun airport for your connecting flight from Delhi. The last airport drop off will be at 10 PM.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trip Cost
Early Bird Pricing (until February 1st 2024): $4,695 for twin sharing / $5,395 for a private room
What's Included
Pre-Departure Support (health, safety and cultural guide) & assistance with Visa Application
Airport transferS in india
2 domestic flightS FROM JAIPUR TO DEHRADHUN AND Dehradhun to delhi are INCLUDED
HOTELS in 3 CITIES
MEALS AS INDICATED ABOVE
Local transporTation PER ACTIVITIES
Local Team available 24/7
TIPS FOR LOCAL DRIVERS AND GUIDES
Entrance and Tickets to places of interest per itinerary
What's NOT Included
ROUNDTRIP AIRFARE TO INDIA
VISA TO INDIA
TRAVEL INSURANCE
LAUNDRY AND ANY ADDITIONAL HOTEL AMENITIES
MEALS NOT INDICATED ABOVE, ALCOHOL, AND EXTRA SNACKS
TIPS FOR HOTEL CLEANING/HOTEL STAFF
ADDItIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TRANSPORTATION YOU MAY DO ON YOUR OWN TIME