Touching the Earth Led by Dr. Elizabeth Day

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 this gesture, enlightenment is understood not as other-worldly, but as an embodied 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.

We will savour time at the sacred Buddhist places, Bodhgaya, place of enlightenment and Sarnath, place of the first teaching that “set in motion the wheel of dhamma”.

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 Ani Sangmo, who each play their part in keeping the practice and teachings alive today.

Elizabeth will offer brief orienting talks about the Buddhist sites, along the way; and guided meditation sessions to integrate practice and context. There may also be opportunities for half day retreats.

Dr Elizabeth Day 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 New Zealand. She divides her time between dhamma teaching and consultations as a university lecturer and psychotherapist. 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 - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Delhi - Dharamsala - Delhi - Kolkata

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

Buddhist monks Bodhgaya

DAY 1: SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2019. FLY TO KOLKATA

Fly to Kolkata. Any flight will do, but for those coming from New Zealand we recommend the following flight: Thai Airways TG492 Auckland (14:50) to Bangkok (20:50), a 12 hour flight. 2 hour 45 minute layover in Bangkok. Thai Airways TG313 Bangkok (23:35) to Kolkata (00:40+), 2 hour 35 minute flight.

If you are flying into India from any other country, please speak to Soul of India for the best air connections.

DAY 2: SUNDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2019. KOLKATA – ARRIVE AND REST

Arrive at Kolkata at 00:40, and transfer to the Park Hotel. Rest at hotel after your long journey. Afternoon stroll in Kolkata with a visit to the Indian Museum.

  • Overnight in the Park Hotel, Kolkata
  • BD

DAY 3: MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2019. TRAIN FROM KOLKATA TO GAYA, DRIVE TO BODHGAYA

Afternoon transfer from hotel to Howrah Junction in Kolkata to board the “Kolkata Rajdhani”, train number 12301 from Howrah Junction (16:55) to Gaya Junction (22:34). A 5h 40m journey in 2-Tier AC class.

On arrival at Gaya transfer 20km to check into the Bodhgaya Hotel School.

  • Overnight in the Bodhgaya Hotel School
  • BD

Ganga Aarti Varanasi

DAY 4: TUESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2019. BODHGAYA

Guided tour of Bodhgaya visiting the many monasteries and temples, and meditation by the Mahabodhi temple by the tree where the Buddha attained nirvana.

  • Overnight in the Bodhgaya Hotel School
  • BLD

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2019. BODHGAYA

Meditation and free time to explore Bodhgaya at your own pace.

  • Overnight in the Bodhgaya Hotel School
  • BLD

DAY 6: THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2019. TRAIN FROM BODHGAYA TO VARANASI

Transfer 20km to Gaya Junction to board “Mahabodhi Express”, train number 12397, from Gaya Junction (14:20) to Mughal Sarai Junction (17:30). A 3h 10m journey in 2-Tier AC class.

On arrival at Mughal Sarai Junction transfer 20km to hotel Palace on Ganges.

  • Overnight in Palace on Ganges, Varanasi
  • BLD

Varanasi Prayer

DAY 7: FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2019. VARANASI

Wake up early for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, and a walking tour of the ancient city. Today we will also visit the International Music Centre Ashram and see the aarti prayer rituals on the banks of the Ganges.

  • Overnight in Palace on Ganges
  • BLD

DAY 8: SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2019. VARANASI

Today we will drive to Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha gave his first sermon, for meditation and a visit to the museum.

  • Overnight in Palace on Ganges
  • BLD

DAY 9: SUNDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2019. VARANASI TO DELHI

Meditation and morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to Varanasi airport to board Air India flight AI-433 from Varanasi (15:30) to Delhi (17:05). At Delhi transfer to the nearby Ibis hotel close to the airport.

  • Overnight in Ibis New Delhi Aerocity
  • BLD

Durga Puja Festival, Kolkata

DAY 10: MONDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2019. DELHI TO DHARAMSALA

Morning transfer to Delhi airport to board Air India flight AI-9713 from Delhi (10:55) to Dharamsala (12:40). At Dharamsala transfer 17km to Serkong House in McLeod Ganj. This afternoon we will visit the Main Temple and also do the kora pilgrimage walk around the Dalai Lama’s residence.

  • Overnight in Serkong House, McLeod Ganj
  • BLD

DAY 11: TUESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2019. DHARAMSALA

Today we will drive a few miles out of town to visit Thosamling Nunnery and the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to preserving traditional Tibetan arts and crafts.

  • Overnight in Serkong House, McLeod Ganj
  • BLD

DAY 12: WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2019. DHARAMSALA

Day at leisure to explore Dharamsala at your own pace.

  • Overnight in Serkong House, McLeod Ganj
  • BLD

DAY 13: THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2019. DHARAMSALA

Today we will drive out 50km (each way) to Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery where there will be time for meditation and to talk to the nuns.

  • Overnight in Serkong House, McLeod Ganj
  • BLD