8 DAYS YOGA TOUR AND HOLI FESTIVAL RETREAT IN INDIA

Overview 

Celebrate Holi, the color festival at Vrindavan, Lord Krishna place on 8 day Yoga retreat to north India. Visit Taj mahal under full moon. Explore cities like New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Vrindavan and much more.

Tour Highlights

  • Review and refine your yoga practice with a daily yoga session with our skilled Yoga Instructor to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.*
  • Enjoy the sublime beauty of the Taj Mahal under the full moon. **
  • Experience the Taj changing color with each phase of the rising of the sun, at dawn.
  • Enjoy Holi celebrations (the festival of color) at Vrindavan (the home of Lord Krishna)
  • Feel reborn whilst practicing Sun Salutation Yoga.
  • Experience the cities as a local. We believe in real life experiences combined with luxury.
  • Leave all your cares and concerns behind you when you enter into deep mediation with a qualified and experienced Yoga Instructor.
  • Visit astounding ancient Indian architecture such as Agra Fort, Amber Fort, India gate, the Presidential House and much more.
  • Enjoy the soothing scenic beauty of Northern India.
  • Enjoy a unique Indian experience by watching a Bollywood movie with local fans at a famous Indian cinema.
  • Lose yourself in the fascinating, colorful bazaars of Jaipur.
  • Enjoy the authentic delicious dishes of Indian cuisine.
  • Guaranteed departure.
  • Your tour is accompanied by a qualified and experienced Tour Leader and Yoga Instructor.

* Your yoga practice will continue daily throughout the duration of the tour except few places where other tour activities will take precedence.

** Tickets for the Full Moon visits to the Taj Mahal are subject to availability.  In which case our visit to the Taj Mahal will either be one day before, on the same day, or one day after the full moon. 

Included

  • Accommodation (twin share) – 5 nights in 3 or 4 Star Hotels and 2 Nights in Ashram hotel.
  • Meals – 7 B, and 3 D. (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
  • 6 morning yoga and meditation sessions with yoga instructor.
  • English speaking professional tour leader.
  • English speaking monument guides where ever applicable. At most occasion your tour leader will be your monument guide.
  • An experienced driver and a helper on private AC coach, minivan etc.
  • Transportation in private AC coach or minivan or boat.
  • Taj Mahal visit under full moon night**.
  • Taj Mahal visit at sun rise.
  • Sun salutation Yoga.
  • Holi celebration at Vrindavan (lord Krishna’s place).
  • Temple visit at Vrindavan.
  • One local dinner at authentic Indian restaurants.
  • Domestic government taxes and service charges.
  • All sightseeing activities as listed in the itinerary.
  • Entrance tickets to –Taj Mahal under full moon**; a sun rise view of Taj Mahal; Agra Fort,; Bollywood movie ticket at Raj Mandir cinema Jaipur and Amber Palace.
  • All applicable taxes for included activities.

Not Included

  • International airfares, departure airport tax for international flights & visa fee.
  • Travel Insurance – Please note that the travel insurance is mandatory document to join the group. We would not be able to accept passengers without travel insurance in any circumstances.
  • Additional meals not mentioned in itinerary, alcohol, bottled water and other drinks.
  • Single room surcharge or pre and post tour accommodation.
  • Hotel incidentals: mini bar, laundry, spa, health club, telephone etc.
  • Tips, gratuities and camera fees at monuments.
  • Airport arrival and departure transfer.
  • Any optional activities, or transport to and from.
  • Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural disasters, flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, accidents, medical evacuations, riots or strikes etc.
  • Anything which is not mentioned in included list.

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your Soulfit-Wellness begins with a welcome meeting at 5:30 pm on Day 1 and group dinner.  You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day earlier so you're able to attend the meeting, we will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).  If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting tipping kitty money, Passenger’s Information Form, your Insurance details, Waiver of Liability and hold harmless agreement (please refer the last pages) along with two copies of front and back page of your passport and Visa at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide your tour leader with.

Overnight in Delhi. 

Rise early to practice yoga and meditation.  After breakfast at the hotel drive to - Jaipur (6 hours approximately). Jaipur, the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan is known as the Pink City of India. The city was planned according to Indian Vastu Shastra (Vedic Planning for the comfort and prosperity of the citizens). The directions of each street and market are East to West and North to South. In the evening visit the Raj Mandir cinema to watch a Bollywood movie with the locals.  Bollywood is one of the largest film producers in India and is one of the largest centers of film production in the world. Fourteen million Indians go to the movies on a daily basis to see any of the over 800 films churned out by Bollywood each year.

Overnight in Jaipur

Rise early to Practice yoga and meditation with the sounds of meditative music. After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Amber Palace, approximately 11 km from Jaipur.  The Rajput Maharajas and their families lived in the palace, which was built using red and white marble and was built with a mix of Hindu- Muslim style reminiscent of 17th century India. Enjoy afternoon at leisure. Jaipur is also famous for its world class jewelers, textile and other art work. In the evening enjoy an authentic dinner cooked in the local style, which is a special experience.

Overnight in Jaipur. 

After practicing scheduled yoga and meditation in the morning drive to the city of Taj, Agra. Visit Agra fort and Inlay workshop in late afternoon today. One of the most attractive work of art that comes from marble is"Marble Inlay" work. It is the same work that adorns the Taj Mahal and other Mughal monuments. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant or at Hotel (at your expense) before we go to view the sublime beauty of the Taj Mahal at moon light.  (Please Note -The entrance to Taj under full moon one or two days before and after, is limited to few entries. Entrance on specific night is entirely subjected to availability of limited tickets and VIP movement. Please note we will be given a time slot and would not be allowed more than 30 minutes into the Taj Complex. The entry is limited to the specific area).

Overningt in Agra.

Rise early to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Enjoy soothing beauty; watch the sunrays strike the beautiful Taj whilst listening to the stories of its origin. The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It is a mausoleum that represents the house of the Queen in Paradise, and its setting was based on the palace gardens of the great nobles that lined both sides of the river Yamuna in Agra.  Return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast before driving to Vrindavan to celebrate Holi.

Holi is one of the major festivals of India and is the most vibrant of all. The joy of Holi knows no bound. The festival is celebrated across the four corners of India or rather across the globe. The festival is filled with so much fun and frolic that the very mention of the word 'Holi' draws smile and enthusiasm amongst the people. Holi also celebrates the arrival of spring, a season of joy and hope.

Overnight in Vrindavan.

Rise early to practice yoga and meditation with yoga instructor. Visit temples of Vrindavan after enjoying breakfast at hotel. Vrindavan is another major place of pilgrimage. It is noted for its numerous temples - both old and modern. The name Vrindavan evokes the playfulness and lovable characteristics of Shri Krishna. This is the wood where he frolicked with the gopis (mythological girlfriends) and tenderly wooed Radha. It is the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna. It is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is said that Lord Krishna never leaves Vrindavan. 

Overningt in Vrindavan. 

Rise early to practice yoga and meditation. After breakfast drive to Delhi, Enjoy visiting India Gate and Imperial buildings at New Delhi in the evening. Please consider enjoying our last dinner as a group, in order to have some drinks (not included), share memories and exchange contacts with other group members, should you wish to.  We recommend that you stay longer in Delhi in order to explore the city and the people. Please also consider choosing a number of optional activities that Delhi can provide, which your tour leader will be happy to assist you with the arrangements of.

Overnight in Delhi.

Rise early to practice the final yoga and meditation. Enjoy breakfast with group at the hotel before you continue on your forward journey. Have a safe flight to home! Please note the hotel rooms are available till 11 AM only. We would be happy to book a room for an extra night for you. Please inform your leader well in advance in order to make arrangements for you. If you need any assistance to book for airport transfer, ask your tour leader.  Our services end at 11 AM today. We look forward to serving you again for future Soulfit-Wellness trips.

Live a happy and Soul-fit life, Namaste!

Tour Price and Add on

Good To Know

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the trip until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by our Tour Leader. If you have credit card insurance our Tour Leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact telephone number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Visas

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Getting Visa to India is easy now.

e-Visa Facility is available for nationals of following countries/territories
Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameron Union Republic, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'lvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal , Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda,Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

For more details on e-visa please visit – https://indianvisaonline.gov.in

We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change – it’s important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.

Tipping

Tipping is a firm and expected element in the tourism industry. Over the years we have found that many of our travelers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don’t have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a tipping kitty system; however the money is not collected in your final payment received by Soulfit Journey. This is so that it can be submitted directly to your Tour Leader who will then distribute the tips among your main service providers – guides, drivers, helper, attendants, Potter, bathroom attendants, shoe keeper, gate keeper, restaurants etc. – on your behalf. We have calculated the tipping amount of USD 70 to be paid per person to your Tour Leader upon arrival in India at group meeting on Day 1.

Your Tour Leader

The Tour Leaders with Soulfit Journey are some of the best in industry and have wide knowledge of diverse culture, history and people in India. We recommend tipping your Tour Leader as they work long hours to make trip successful. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline USD 10 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more as you see fit, depending on your perception of service and quality of your trip.

Your Yoga Instructor

You will be accompanied by highly skilled yoga instructor throughout the tour. The instructors are qualified from recognized yoga institute and experienced regular practitioners. We recommend tipping your Yoga Instructor. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline USD 10 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more as you see fit, depending on your perception of service and quality of your trip.

Single Travelers

Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and don’t involve a compulsory single supplement. Single travelers share with people of the same gender in twin share accommodation. On a selection of our trips; you have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure that you have your own accommodation (where available). Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis or as per requirement Give little extra to yourself as you deserve it. Book single supplement on this trip.

Domestic Airline & Baggage Allowance

Domestic airlines within India have recently reviewed their checked luggage limits, as such all airlines have now implemented a maximum checked luggage limit of 15 Kgs. Please keep in mind when packing for your upcoming trip as international airline may have higher luggage allowance. Any excess luggage charges incurred will be at the expanse of passenger and they should be paid upon check in. Please ensure you adhere to the above regulation whenever you are embarking on a domestic fight.

Physical Requirements

This trip is only for very physically fit and healthy travelers. It is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. You must be able to walk 2-3 miles unassisted each day and participate in 3-5 hours of daily physical activities, including scaling several steep steps without handrails.

Appropriate Dress

When visiting temples or mosques, both men and women should dress in non-revealing clothes. Full-length trousers with a shirt or t-shirt for men; and pants or skirts well below the knee with a top that covers the shoulders and upper arms for women. Women might also consider carrying a ‘modesty shawl’ in their daypack – this could be a sarong or light scarf – which they can wear over their shoulders and heads to feel more comfortable while sightseeing at mosques. Religious sites and homes throughout India – for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims or Buddhists to name a few – require all visitors to remove their shoes to enter. Even if you then need to walk outdoors, over hot or rough ground, you will not be allowed to wear shoes. You will often find shoe storage rooms near the entrance of a site where it is customary to leave your shoes near the entrance. Occasionally there are ‘shoe minders’ who will offer to keep your shoes safe for a ‘tip’ –If you do not want to remove them, you will have to remain outside.