Encountering Religions Tour to India Led by Nancy Thompson
Tuesday 20th October – Monday 02nd November 2026
Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath
The leader, Nancy Thompson, will provide both scholarly insights and personal encounters with faith traditions, enabling participants to gain a deep understanding of how religions shape daily life, history, and human experience.
About Tour Leader – Nancy Thompson
Nancy Thompson teaches college courses in Comparative Religion and Religious Anthropology in the United States, most recently in Vermont. She is the author of Touching the Elephant: Virtues the World’s Religions Share and How They Can Transform Us (Zio Apollo Press). Nancy has written extensively on religion-related topics for NPR, the Christian Science Monitor, and numerous smaller publications.
Her background in social history enriches the way she explores and celebrates the lived experience of religion. Participants will benefit from her unique ability to connect scholarly knowledge with personal stories and cultural insights.
Nancy lives in Vermont and is a devoted mother of two children, a daughter and a son. Her engaging approach ensures that the tour will be both intellectually enriching and personally memorable.
This multifaith journey is a unique opportunity to explore India’s rich spiritual and religious heritage. From the vibrant ghats of Varanasi to the serene monasteries of Dharamshala, this carefully curated tour immerses participants in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of India. Witness how different faiths coexist and experience firsthand the practices, rituals, and devotion that shape daily life.
The tour begins in Delhi, where we will spend some time following in the footsteps of the great Mahatma Gandhi, as well as focusing on Islam, the Baha’i faith, and visiting a multi-faith, farm-based community that combines work with meditation as a means of spiritual growth.
We then travel by train to the historic city of Amritsar, where we will experience the calm and spiritual culture of Sikhism. Visits include the Harimandir Saheb (Golden Temple) and Wagah, on the border of India and Pakistan, to witness the ‘flags down’ military ceremony.
From Amritsar, we will travel to Dharamshala to visit the Dalai Lama’s temple and attune to the cultivation at monasteries. We will have an opportunity to meet Buddhist nuns Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (subject to available) who continue to keep the practice and teachings alive today.
Next, we fly to the sacred city of Varanasi, on the banks of the holy Ganga. Here we will experience the vibrancy, color, and devotion of Hinduism at a place of great significance. A short distance away is Sarnath, where we will see the spot where Buddha preached his first sermon. Another train takes us to Bodhgaya, the place where the Buddha attained Enlightenment.
After Bodhgaya, we will fly back to Delhi to conclude this sacred journey.
The Itinerary
DELHI – AMRITSAR – DHARAMSHALA – VARANASI – BODHGAYA – DELHI
Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
Qawwali in Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, New Delhi
DAY 1: TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2026: FLY TO DELHI
Fly to Delhi. Suggested flight of American Airlines AA292 from JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York), departure at 21:00. (If you need assistance booking your international flight, please feel free to contact us.)
If you are joining this tour from another country, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to help you find suitable flight options.
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2026: ARRIVE IN DELHI
Arrive in Delhi at 21:00. Meeting and assistance on arrival, and transfer to hotel The Grand New Delhi for 3 nights stay.
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Overnight in The Grand, New Delhi
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D
DAY 3: THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2026: DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Morning at leisure.
Early afternoon visit to Shri Gobind Sadan, a multi-faith complex that combines hard work and meditation for spiritual development. This is followed by visit to the tranquil Baha’i Lotus Temple and to the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin, associated with the famous Sufi poet Amir Khusro.
Evening option to witness Sufi Qawwali at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah (Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 PM & 9:00–10:30 PM, subject to availability). Schedule to be confirmed closer to the date.
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Overnight in The Grand, New Delhi
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B&D
DAY 4: FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2026: DELHI SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing including a rickshaw ride to Jama Masjid- India’s largest Mosque and a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, and the Raj Ghat — Mahatma Gandhi’s moving cremation site.
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Overnight in The Grand, New Delhi
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B&D
Golden Temple, Amritsar
DAY 5: SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2026: TRAIN TO AMRITSAR
Early in the morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board Swarna Shatabdi train to Amritsar in AC Executive Class. Depart New Delhi (07:20) Arrive Amritsar (13:30). Met on arrival, transfer to Taj Swarna for 02 nights stay. Afternoon at leisure.
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.
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Overnight in Taj Swarna, Amritsar
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B&D
DAY 6: SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2026: AMRITSAR SIGHTSEEING
Morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Golden Temple. The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, meaning "abode of God" or Darbār Sahib, meaning "exalted court". It is the holiest Gurdwara and the most important pilgrimage site of Sikhism. The free kitchen at Golden Temple serves over 35000 people meals every day of the year. You may wish to volunteer in the kitchen or help serve free meals to the pilgrims.
Visit Jallianwala Bagh - site of the 1919 massacre, and Partition Museum, which preserves memories of India’s 1947 Partition through personal stories, photographs, letters, and artifacts.
Afternoon excursion to Wagah-the Indo-Pakistan border to witness the electrifying ‘Changing of the Guard Ceremony’.
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Overnight in Taj Swarna, Amritsar
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B&D
DAY 7: MONDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2026: DRIVE TO DHARAMSHALA
Morning post breakfast, drive to Dharamshala. It will be a 6-7 hours journey. On arrival at McLeod Ganj, check-in at Norling House for 02 nights stay.
This evening, we will visit the Main Temple and also do the kora pilgrimage walk around the Dalai Lama’s residence.
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Overnight in Norling House, Dharamshala
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B&D
Norbulingka Institute Temple, Dharamshala
DAY 8: TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2026: EXCURSION TO PALAMPUR
Morning drive to Palampur about 2 hours’ drive each way to visit Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s Buddhist nunnery, Dongyu Gatsal Ling, with lunch at their Dragon Café. After lunch return to Dharamshala or you may wish to stay there and join the bhikkhunis for their evening prayer at 06:00 PM.
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Overnight in Norling House, Dharamshala
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B&D
DAY 9: WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2026: FLY TO VARANASI
Morning transfer to Dharamshala airport to board your flight 6E7484 Dharamshala (09:50) to Delhi (11:15), with 2-hour 45 min layover in Delhi, and connect your flight 6E6649 Delhi (14:00) to Varanasi (15:20).
On arrival at Varanasi, transfer to the Taj Ganges for 02 nights stay.
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Overnight in Taj Ganges, Varanasi
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B&D
Main Ghat, Varanasi
DAY 10: THURSDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2026: VARANASI SIGHTSEEING
Leave for an early morning boat ride on the Ganges River to see meditating sadhus and the life on the Ghats of the city.
After breakfast visit the city sights of Varanasi including Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple & Aurangzeb’s Mosque.
Evening attend the aarti ceremony and enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride to see the devotees offering prayers on Ghats.
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Overnight in Taj Ganges, Varanasi
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B&D
DAY 11: FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2026: EXCURSION TO SARNATH, TRAIN TO BODHGAYA
Morning excursion to Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha gave his first teaching, for meditation and a visit to the museum.
In the late afternoon, transfer to Varanasi railway station to board superfast Vande Bharat train to Gaya. Depart Varanasi (16:05) Arrive Gaya (18:45). On arrival, transfer to hotel Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels Bodh Gaya for 02 nights stay.
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Overnight in Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, Bodh Gaya
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B&D
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya
DAY 12: SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2026: BODHGAYA SIGHTSEEING
Morning 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.
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Overnight in Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, Bodh Gaya
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B&D
DAY 13: SUNDAY 01ST NOVEMBER 2026: FLY TO DELHI
Morning transfer to Gaya airport to board your flight 6E2416 from Gaya (12:15) to Delhi (14:05). Transfer to hotel The Grand New Delhi for 01-night stay. Rest of the day at leisure.
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Overnight in The Grand, New Delhi
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B&D
DAY 14: MONDAY 02ND NOVEMBER 2026: FLY TO NEW YORK
Morning after breakfast, check out from hotel and explore Delhi's spiritual sites like the historic Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, with its unique bird hospital, followed by visits to Sis Ganj Gurudwara.
Evening transfer to Delhi International airport to board your flight to JFK. Suggested flight American Airlines AA293, departure from Delhi at 23:55.
Tour Cost
TOUR COST WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
The cost per person sharing a twin or double room £3185.00
Single room supplement £494.00
Email :- enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630
How to book this tour
Read our Booking Terms and Conditions
Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630
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.
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.
Cost Includes
- Internal flights in economy class with 23 Kg checked in baggage
- Train reservations in airconditioned 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 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
- Services of Nancy Thompson as trip leader
Cost Does Not Include
- 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.
