Discovering Buddhist India – Ancient Roots, Living BranchesTrip Leader: Lisa Ernst Saturday 14th March – Saturday 28th March 2020

The tour is guided by our expert local guides in India, with Lisa Ernst – founder of One Dharma Nashville and visiting teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Centre in Woodacre California – guiding meditation along the way in various locations, from hotel gardens to Tibetan monasteries.

We will be interacting with and learning from Buddhist communities and practitioners as we travel. It’s also a fun adventure off the beaten track, and this tour is open to everyone interested in Buddhism and meditation.

The Itinerary

Delhi - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Delhi - Dharamshala - Amritsar - Delhi

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

India Gate, Delhi

DAY 1: SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 2020: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Departure from your home country for Delhi.

DAY 2: SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2020: ARRIVE IN DELHI. OVERNIGHT IN DELHI
Late night arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. After you have cleared immigration, customs and collected your baggage you will be met by our representative, who will be carrying a Soul of India placard at the indoor arrivals area. If any members of the group arriving on different flights at different times, then there will be an additional transfer with an extra cost for each arrival.
From here our representative will take you to the vehicle and drive you from the airport to check into The Suryaa New Delhi Hotel in central Delhi – a drive of about 45 minutes.
Afternoon proceed for orientation tour of old Delhi including an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride to the Jama Masjid through the bustling Chandni Chowk and it’s back roads, which were the centre of the city Shah Jehanabad in the Mughal times. Finally continue onto the Raj Ghat- Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in The Suryaa New Delhi Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  

Main Ghat Varanasi

DAY 3: MONDAY 16TH MARCH 2020: EXPLORE OLD DELHI- OVERNIGHT ON BOARD TRAIN
Morning enjoy half day combined sightseeing of New and Old Delhi including the visit to impressive Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and the India Gate. Also drive past the Parliament Buildings & President’s House. Later take an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride to the Jama Masjid through the bustling Chandni Chowk and it’s back roads, which were the centre of the city Shah Jehanabad in the Mughal times. Finally continue onto the Raj Ghat- Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site. Afternoon at leisure.Morning sightseeing of dynamic New Delhi including the visit to impressive Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and the India Gate. Also drive past the Parliament Buildings & President’s House.
Late afternoon transfer to the New Delhi railway station to board your overnight train Shiv Ganga Express (12560) to Varanasi, departing Delhi at 18:55.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in The Suryaa New Delhi Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 4: TUESDAYDAY 17TH MARCH 2020: ARRIVE VARANASI & EVENING WITNESS THE AARTI CEREMONY AT SASUMED GHAT
Arrive Varanasi at 06:50 in the morning, meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to the Taj Ganges hotel (early check subject to availability, hotel check in time at 14:00). Afternoon at leisure. As the sun sets, we will drive to the Ghats (stone steps leading down to the Ganges river) and enjoy the spectacular riverside aarti prayer rituals.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Taj Ganges Hotel, Varanasi   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH 2020 – VARANASI SIGHTSEEING
Today is a very early start as we wake up before the sun and drive to the ghats and enjoy a magical sunrise boat ride on the holy river Ganges, witnessing the faithful perform their Morning Prayer rituals by the riverside. Later in the day we will drive a short distance to the holy site of Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha taught his first sermon, the first turning of the wheel of dharma.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Taj Ganges Hotel, Varanasi   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 6: THURSDAY 19TH MARCH 2020 – FLY TO BODHGAYA
After our morning meditation relax in the hotel or wonder the lively narrow lanes and visit the many colourful temples, guest houses and stalls peddling local arts and crafts, spices and world-famous silks your own pace!
Early afternoon transfer to Varanasi airport to board your short flight Indigo 6E-7716 to Gaya, in an economy class, which leaves Varanasi at 14:15 and arrives Gaya at 15:00. Meeting, assistance on arrival and transfer to Maya Heritage Hotel.
Bodhgaya is the site on the banks of the Nairanjana river where the Buddha attained nirvana under a Bodhi tree. This small town is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world, and for Hindus who revere the Buddha.
The Mahabodhi Temple is built on the supposed spot of the Buddha’s nirvana, and dotted around are temples and monasteries built by various Buddhist countries.
We will visit the temple in the evening.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Maya Heritage Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 7: FRIDAY 20ST MARCH 2020 – DAY SIGHTSEEING
We will meet in the morning for group meditation in the hotel’s Prayer & Meditation Hall, before heading out to explore Bodhgaya with our guide, to visit the Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi Tree and the Great Buddha Statue amongst other sites. Afternoon at leisure for rest, relaxation and personal explorations.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Maya Heritage Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  

Dharamshala

DAY 8: SATURDAY 21ST MARCH 2020– DAY AT LEISURE OR OPTIONAL VISIT TO MAHAKALA CAVES.
Morning meditation. Day at leisure or an optional visit of Mahakala Caves.
Mahakala (or Dungeshwari) Caves are about 12 kms northeast of Bodhgaya, where Buddha did the severe penance that led him to see the futility of extreme asceticism. Realizing that the key to enlightenment was a “middle path” between self-denial and self-indulgence, he walked down to Bodhgaya, where he achieved nirvana. A short climb from the base of the impressive cliff leads to a Tibetan monastery and the three caves.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Maya Heritage Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 9: SUNDAY 22ND MARCH 2020– FLY TO DELHI
Morning meditation with Lisa in the hotel’s Prayer & Meditation Hall. Early afternoon transfer to Gaya airport to catch “Air India” Flight number AI-433 via Varanasi (this flight has 35 minutes layover in Varanasi), flight departs Gaya at 14:15 and arrives New Delhi at 16:55. Transfer to Raddison Blue Plaza Hotel.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Delhi   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 10: MONDAY 23RD MARCH 2020 – FLY TO DHARAMSHALA
Morning transfer to Delhi airport to board “Air India” Flight number AI-9713, departing Delhi at 10:55 and arriving at Dharamshala at 12:40. On arrival at Dharamsala we will be met and transferred to hotel Chonor House, and in the afternoon take the pilgrimage walk around the Dalai Lama’s residence.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Chonor House, Dharamshala.   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 11:TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2020 – DHARAMSHALA SIGHTSEEING
After morning meditation with Lisa, we will explore Dharamsala, a town in the Himalayan foothills which is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in exile. We will visit temples, monasteries and have a talk on Buddhism at the Tibetan Library.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Chonor House, Dharamshala.   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  

Golden Temple Amritsar

DAY 12: WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH 2020 – EXPLORE DHRAMSHALA
Morning meditation with Lisa, and the rest of the day at leisure to rest or explore Dharamsala at your own pace.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Chonor House, Dharamshala.   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 13: THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2020 – DRIVE TO AMRITSAR
A beautiful drive from Dharamshala takes you to Amritsar – the holy city of Sikhs intimately linked with the colourful history of this martial race, its agricultural prudence, woollens, spices and dry fruits. It is also the showpiece of prosperity and of the wealth of Punjab. Free afternoon at hotel Hyatt Amritsar. After dinner visit to 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 a Prayer incanted to invoke Jot – the living light of the Guru to manifest in the Granth.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Hyatt Hotel, Amritsar   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 14: FRIDAY 27TH MARCH 2020 – AMRITSAR SIGHTSEEING
Morning sightseeing tour of Amritsar, including Jallianwala Bagh and Durgiana temple. Come to Golden Temple to spend much of the day here taking in the peace and sanctuary in the place, you may wish to volunteer helping in the kitchen or help serve free meals for the pilgrims – in addition to being a good deed, it’s a good lesson in Indian cookery. The free kitchen at Golden Temple serves over 35000 people meals every day of the year. It is a soul fulfilling experience.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Hyatt Hotel, Amritsar   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 15: SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2020 –FLY TO DELHI & INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to Amritsar airport to board “Air Vistara” Flight number UK-707, in an economy class, departing Amritsar at 15:25 and arriving at Delhi at 16:35. On arrival in Delhi. Time at leisure until your international departure. Depending on your International departure time from Delhi accommodation can be booked at Holiday Inn Express Hotel or smart Hotel at Delhi airport.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight International flight   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
TOUR COST
The cost per person sharing a twin or double room
$3145
Single room supplement
$945
  • To book this tour, please complete the booking form, sign and e-mail it to us. A non-refundable deposit of £500.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 8 weeks before departure. You can make the deposit payment by debit card or electronic transfer to our bank. Our Bank details are on the booking form. Bookings are confirmed on a first-come first-served basis. When the tour is full we will take about 5 additional names on the waiting list to replace their booking with any cancellations etc.
  • If you wish to join the tour and fly from any country other than the United Kingdom please contact us for land-only arrangements.
  • It includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover
  • It provides cover for your whole trip
  • It covers you for all activities
  • It covers all your pre-existing medical conditions
  • Keep your Policy Number and Insurer’s 24-hour Emergency Number handy with you
To get a competitive quote for comprehensive travel insurance click here

Cost Includes
  • Internal flights in economy class as per itinerary: from Varanasi to Gaya, Gaya to Delhi, Delhi to Dharamshala & Amritsar to Delhi.
  • Train tickets as per itinerary in AC 1st class carriage.
  • 13 night’s accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in late checkouts are subject to availability)
  • Daily breakfast and dinner at all hotels (except dinner on day 16). Lunches are included every day at local restaurants
  • All arrival, departure transfers, long drives, and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned coach.
  • 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.
  • Services of Lisa Ernst as trip leader
  • Complementary Mineral water while travelling & sightseeing
Cost Does Not Include
  • Dinner day 16
  • India visa fee. E-tourist visa is now available for citizens of most countries including the USA. On confirmation of booking, we will send you a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the visa.
  • Any expenses of 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.

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