ITINERARY

We are in the planning stages of this trip to India. For anyone wanting to join, this is the initial itinerary. Here are a few details to know:

• The trip will only be for 20 group members. 
  
• You'll need a passport that does not expire before August 2026. (It can not be expiring within 6 months of your visit to India.)
  
• I will help you apply for the visa. It can be challenging. We can schedule a Visa Application party (online). For your visa, you will need to have the same kinds of photos you get for passports. (And you can not smile nor wear your glasses in those photos.)
  
• There are recommended vaccines. It is always best to consult with a travel clinic. If you are in Portland, I recommend the Travel & Immunization Clinic of Portland. 
  
• Traveling to India is a sacred journey. It is also chaotic, polluted, and sometimes confounding. Things will go wrong. Please plan on that! 

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January 5 (Arrival)

​The trip starts in Kolkata and ends in Chennai.
​Hotel Recommendations will be provided for your international arrival.

Your international flights are not included as part of the trip. Each person arranges their own international arrival and departure flights. Our first destination is near Kolkata. The Kolkata airport is international and it is very easy to use.However, not all airline mileage plans will fly you into Kolkata.

​We will be departing from the south of India, so if you want to schedule a round trip international flight, I recommend checking the prices using Bangalore as your airport. This is also a relatively easy to use airport. You could also consider the Chennai airport, which is even easier than Bangalore! 

Once you arrive from your international flight, you will need a flight to Kolkata. This would be considered a domestic flight. I can help you with these arrangements, though the cost will be yours in this case. 

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January 6 - 10 (Retreat Center)

City: Kolkata, Rabidranath Tagore Village
​Region: Shanti Niketan Village
Learn More: https://santiniketanretreat.com/

Rabidranath Tagore was a revered Indian poet and author. From the time that I worked in a bookstore in college, in every home that I have lived in, I have had a card on my refrigerator with a quote from him:

"I slept and dreamt that life was Joy. 
I awoke and saw that life was Service. 
I acted and behold, service was Joy.
-  Rabidranath Tagore

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January 10 - 15
​(Visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama)

City: ​Dharamasala; Region: MacLeod Gang
Lodging: https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/lord-krishna-boutique-stay.html

Dharamasala is one of the most beautiful cities in India. Many international travelers visit this region; many have made it their home. (You can get some amazing German chocolate cake here! And the Dalai Lama's sister has a Tibetan food restaurant that will nourish you deeply! There is also wonderful hiking and nearby sites to see. I will be tracking when His Holiness' public teaching schedule is announced for January 2026. I will also email his secretary in advance to request a private meeting for the group. In this case, we should be prepared with questions! (and appropriate gifts).

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January 15 - 20 

City: ​Rishikesh, Mataji and Induji 
Region: Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Lodging: https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/yog-vashishth.html 

Rishikesh is the birth place of yoga (Rishis!) Here we will study with Mataji and Induji for Naad Yoga and the Bhagavad Gita. We will also visit the Ashram where the Beatles stayed, which is within walking distance of Partmarth Niketan Ashram. 

PLEASE NOTE: Vandana Shiva:  The headquarters for Vandana Shiva's biodiversity work is in Doon Valley in Uttarakhand where Dehradun is located. Rishikesh is very close to Dehradun. I am actively researching how we can make a visit to the headquarters. You can learn more about her  and her projects here: Bija Vidyapeeth (Earth University)

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​January 20 - 25

City: ​Varanasi
Visit Krishnamurti's Library, as well as Sarnath (the place where the Buddha gave his first public talks), the famous burning ghats of India, and our friends, Pandit Deobrat Mishra and his family. 
I have sent a lodging request to the Raghat study center : https://jkrishnamurti.org/content/rajghat-study-centre-and-retreat-varanasi​

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January 25 (Overnight Stay)

Cities: ​Chennai
Lodging: Guest House: TBD​
This is a transition day on the trip. Flying from the North to the South, we will wait one night before going to Sri Lanka.

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January 26 - 31 (Retreat)

City: Sri Lanka, Retreat with Saraswathi, Shekar and Sharmila 
Sri Yoga Shala
Lodging: https://www.sriyogashala.com/stay​

We will end our tour with a retreat in Sri Lanka with my yoga therapy teacher, mentor and friend, Saraswathi Vasudevan, as well as my harmonium teacher, Shekar Ganesh, and, if possible, my Vedic Chanting teacher as well, Sharmila Ranganath. ​ Breakfast and dinner are included here. Lunch can be at the cafe. There are also massages available.

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January 31

On this day we fly from Sri Lanka to your departure city. As needed, an additional overnight can be arranged.

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India Info Session

Please RSVP by email to notify me of your interest in joining this trip. 
[email protected] 
Please use the SUBJECT LINE: India 2026 RSVP
(this will help me to filter my emails)
1st INFO SESSION:  Tuesday, July 1, 7 pm PST both in person (SW Portland) and online (via zoom)