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Touching The EarthA Small Group Tour Led by Dr Elizabeth Day 16th November – 3rd December 2025
Post Tour Extension:
Day Trip Agra
2 night’s stay in Delhi with Agra Day Trip
From Wednesday 03rd December to Friday 05th December 2025
Neem Karoli & Baba Mahavtar Cave
2 nights in Delhi, 1 night in Nainital and 2 nights in Dunagiri
From Wednesday 03rd December to Monday 08th December 2025
When Gautama Siddhartha reached down to touch the earth on the night of his enlightenment, it was said to quake in response. The earth bore witness to his accumulated integrity. Through his gesture, enlightenment is understood to be an embodied and relational experience.
That earth remembers the potency of that act, and reaches across ages to us now.
Come and touch that same earth. Water the living descendant of the Bodhi tree that sheltered the Buddha, fire up your practice under the same eastern sun, and breathe the air of a country steeped in spiritual history and cultural riches.
Come to your senses, on this timeless path where the possibility of enlightenment feels as real as this present moment.
The journey starts in Kolkata. We will rest and relax for a few days at Sanjeeva Net in preparation for our travels.
We will savour time at the sacred Buddhist places, Bodhgaya, the place of enlightenment and Sarnath, the place of the first teaching that “set in motion the wheel of dhamma”. We will visit the site of the ancient Buddhist university at Nalanda, and drink in the atmosphere at the lofty ‘Vultures’ Peak’, site of significant teachings by the Buddha.
From the ancient to the contemporary, we will visit the Dalai Lama’s temple, and attune to the cultivation at monasteries led by Buddhist nuns, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Tenzin Sangmo, who keep the practice and teachings alive today.
Recognising the spiritual wealth and diversity of India, we will also travel to Amritsar – the spiritual heart of Sikhism and visit the iconic Golden Temple.
Dr Elizabeth Day will lead the tour, offering reflections about the Buddhist sites along the way and guided meditations to integrate practice and context. There may also be opportunities for half day retreats.
Elizabeth experienced India at the turn of this century and it blew her mind. She journeyed on a four-week contemplation through the Buddhist sacred sites in Northern India. Soon after that trip she ordained as a Buddhist monastic, to deepen her meditation practice. Several years later she returned in robes for a 6-month pilgrimage through India, visiting a wide range of adepts, ashrams and Buddhist sites.
Now, with her partner, Willa Thaniya, Elizabeth teaches yoga and meditation at their studio in Aotearoa New Zealand. She divides her time between dhamma teaching and work as a university lecturer in psychotherapy, and a therapist. She holds a doctorate in intersubjectivity, consciousness and identity.
Along with dhamma practice, teaching and leadership experience, Elizabeth brings on this trip with you her love and respect for many of the spiritual traditions of India, her enthusiasm for the cultivations of meditation and yoga, and her openness to adventure.
The Itinerary
KOLKATA - PATNA - NALANDA - RAJGIR - BODHGAYA - VARANASI - AMRITSAR - DHARAMSHALA - DELHI
Indian Ayurveda, India
Singapore Airlines operated by Air New Zealand SQ4284 Auckland (11:10) to Singapore (16:45), a 10-hour 35 minutes flight. 3-hour 55 minute layover in Singapore. Connect Singapore Airlines SQ0516 Singapore (20:40) to Kolkata (22:25+), 4 hour 15 minute flight.
If you are flying into India from any other country, please speak to Soul of India for the best air connections.
Overnight in Sanjeeva Net Vedic Wellness, Kolkata L&D
- Wellness Diet (BLD)
- Morning and afternoon Yoga practice session
- Consultation with Ayurveda Physician
- Ayurveda Therapy Session
- Swimming Pool, Gym, Indoor games
Overnights in Sanjeeva Net Vedic Wellness, Kolkata BLD
Nalanda, Bihar
Overnight in Maurya Hotel, Patna B&D
Overnight in Indo Hokke Hotel, Rajgir B&D
Overnight in Hotel School Bodhgaya, Bihar B&D
Bodhgaya, Bihar
Afternoon sightseeing of Bodhgaya visiting various international Buddhist temples – Bodhgaya birthplace of Buddhism. It is here that Gautama Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath the bodhi tree, becoming the Buddha (the Enlightened One). Even though this diminutive town attracts thousands of pilgrims from around the world every year, it retains a serene ambiance. The sacred centre is the bodhi tree, which flourishes inside the Mahabodhi Temple complex, amid a beautiful garden.
Evening meditation by the Mahabodhi temple by the bodhi tree where the Buddha attained nirvana.
Overnight in Hotel School Bodhgaya, Bihar B&D
Overnight in Hotel School Bodhgaya, Bihar B&D
Overnight in Palace on Ganges, Varanasi B&D
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Overnight in Palace on Ganges, Varanasi B&D
Overnight in Palace on Ganges, Varanasi B&D
Afternoon transfer to the airport to board Indigo flight 6E 2232 from Varanasi (15:55) to Amritsar (21:20) 2-hour 40 minutes layover in Delhi. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Hyatt Regency, Amritsar B&D
Amritsar, Punjab
Afternoon free to visit local markets and you may opt for a culinary walk of about 2 hours.
After dinner visit Golden Temple to be part of Sukh Aasan Ceremony. This is when the Holy Book — Guru Granth — is put to rest for the night with prayers and an incantation to invoke Jot – the living light of the Guru to manifest in the Granth.
Overnight in Hyatt Regency, Amritsar B&D
Overnight in Norling House, Dharamshala B&D
Overnight in Norling House, Dharamshala B&D
Tenzin Palmo's Monastery, Palampur
Overnight in Norling House, Dharamshala B&D
Connect your flight to Auckland via Singapore. We recommend below flight from Delhi to Auckland.
Singapore Airlines SQ0403 Delhi (21:50) to Singapore (06:00), a 05 hour 40 minutes flight. 2 hour 45 minute layover in Singapore. Connect Singapore Airlines SQ0281 Singapore (08:45) to Auckland (23:35+), 9 hour 50 minute flight.
FOR PEOPLE TAKING POST TOUR AGRA EXTENSION
Transfer to hotel in Delhi for overnight stay.
Overnight in Haveli Hauz Khas, Delhi B&D
Evening board return train to Delhi leaves Agra at 17:40 and Arrives Delhi at 19:35. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Haveli Hauz Khas, Delhi B&D
Afternoon check out from hotel and enjoy combined sightseeing of New & Old Delhi. Evening transfer to Delhi Airport to board your flight to Aukland via Singapore.
Singapore Airlines SQ0403 Delhi (21:50) to Singapore (06:00), a 05-hour 40 minutes flight. 2 hour 45 minute layover in Singapore. Connect Singapore Airlines SQ0281 Singapore (08:45) to Auckland (23:35+), 9 hour 50 minute flight.
Overnight in Colonels Retreat, Delhi B
Day 18: WEDNESDAY 03RD DECEMBER 2025 - FOR NEEM KAROLI ASHRAM
Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Khainchi Dham
Overnight in Writers Bungalow, Ramgarh B
Later continue driving to Dunagiri Dwarhat enroute stop at Ranikhet about 3 to 4 hours driving time- Ranikhet is a hill station in Uttarakhand State, northern India. It’s known for its views of the Himalayas.
Overnight in Vanprastha Resorts, Dunagiri Dwarhat B
Rest of the day leisure.
Overnight in Vanprastha Resorts, Dunagiri Dwarhat B
Mahavatar Babaji's Temple, Dunagiri
Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to an airport hotel.
Overnight in Ibis Aerocity Hotel, New Delhi B
For people flying to Sydney-
Morning check out from hotel and transfer to the international airport to board your flight to Sydney via Singapore. We recommend following flights.
Singapore airlines SQ401 departures from Delhi (09:55) Arrive Singapore (18:55) Connect SQ0221 Depart from Singapore (20:20) & arrive Sydney (05:55) the next day.
For people flying to Aukland-
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon check out from hotel and enjoy combined sightseeing of New & Old Delhi. Evening transfer to Delhi Airport to board your flight to Aukland via Singapore.
Singapore Airlines SQ0403 Delhi (21:50) to Singapore (06:00), a 05-hour 40 minutes flight. 2 hour 45 minute layover in Singapore. Connect Singapore Airlines SQ0281 Singapore (08:45) to Auckland (23:35+), 9 hour 50 minute flight.
- Please send us an e-mail at enquiries@soulofindia.com or call us at 020 8901 7630. We will send you a booking form to complete. You can also complete a booking form on our website for this tour.
- It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure.
- This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
1. The cost Per person sharing a twin or double room: £555.00
2. Single room supplement: £110.00
Neem Karoli & Baba Mahavtar Cave – 2 nights in Delhi, 1 night in Nainital and 2 nights in Dunagiri
3. The cost Per person sharing a twin or double room: £1045.00
4. Single room supplement: £340.00
If you are arriving in India a day early or leaving a day later as per your international flight, please let us know, and we will provide you with the cost for the additional services.
- Internal flights in economy class with 23 Kg checked in baggage
- Train reservations are in air-conditioned Executive Class.
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary, sharing twin or double or double room with Single occupancy with en-suite facilities
- Daily breakfast and dinner at all hotels. All meals in Sanjeeva Net Kolkata. Extension tours are on a breakfast basis only.
- All arrival, departure transfers, long drives and sightseeing by a chauffeur driven private air-conditioned coach Tempo traveller (Mini Vans) in Varanasi and Dharamshala.
- Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway station.
- Services of English-speaking guides and local specialists during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary. Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
- Complementary Mineral water while travelling & sightseeing
- International flights
- India visa fee. E-tourist visa is now available for citizens of most countries including USA. On confirmation of booking we will send you a step by step guide how to apply for the visa.
- Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
- Tips and gratuities
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
- Services of Dr Elizabeth Day as trip leader. Guidance and teachings are offered freely, in accordance with Buddhist tradition. Tour group members are invited to enter into reciprocity through the offer of dana to the teacher, also in accordance with Buddhist tradition, to help support the continuation of the teachings.