Join me on this exquisitely crafted retreat to my ancient homeland of India, a place of deep spirituality and meaning. 12-day immersion into the practices of yoga, meditation, tantra and Ayurveda. Experience this country’s rich cultural heritage and its glorious art & architecture.
HIGHLIGHTS
My dream of traveling to India was made possible by Sandhiya’s retreat to Kerala this past Fall. I could not have imagined a better guide for this trip as she was born and raised in India and knew her way around and what places to visit. All the hotels we stayed at were one-of-a-kind. As soon as I landed in India under the guidance of Sandhiya, I was able to completely relax and trust the journey ahead. This trip to Kerala was a beautiful blend of Indian culture, Ayurvedic rituals and Culinary experiences. What I liked most about this trip was that it was a small group of us and we traveled to areas that were not tourist traps. The memories of this trip will last me a lifetime and I am looking forward to traveling to India again on one of Sandhiya’s next retreats.
REGISTRATION & FEE
Investment – Early Bird – $3,200 register by January 10;
Regular – $3,400
Includes everything – all accommodations, meals, domestic airfare, yoga classes, Ayurveda treatments, sightseeing, ground transportation, and tour guide services; Does not include airfare to and from the US to India and discretionary tips; Space is limited to 8 retreatants.
Contact Sandhiya at [email protected] or 949.842.7504 to register
About me, your retreat curator & creator – Sandhiya Ramaswamy
For nearly 10 years, I’ve been a practitioner, master teacher and chef of Ayurveda, facilitating the improved wellbeing of hundreds of women and men through my one on one consultations, workshops and retreats. My practice Alchemy Ayurveda, is in Dana Point, California. Originally from India, I have had a life-long and intimate connection with all aspects of Spirituality – Ayurveda, Tantra and Yoga. Having lived in both India and America, I strive to bring the right blend of Eastern and Western sensibilities to my offerings. Guiding people on transformative spiritual journeys to India is one of my greatest passions, and I am so honored and grateful to be able to do this. Namaste.
First of all congratulations to Sandhiya for making it through her first India retreat with flying colors. The trip to Kerala was amazing from the Udayagiri Ayurvedic Retreat Center in the mountains of Wayanad to the backwaters of Kerala and the Phillipkutty Farmhouse. Sandhiya’s attention to detail to ensure that all accommodations and meals were of the highest standard was greatly appreciated by our intimate group of 10 beautiful women. It was truly a Spiritual Sojourn that forever changed my being.
OUR HOMES AWAY FROM HOME
The Leela Palace, Delhi
One of the finest properties in Delhi, this beautiful hotel is ina quiet, leafy enclave. Our first day will be spent relaxing in our luxurious accommodations after our long journey. We will step out in the evening for some sightseeing, followed by a welcome dinner. Day 2 will be spent taking in the sights of this pulsating metropolis – starting with a morning walk followed by breakfast at the Lodhi Gardens. We then visit someof Delhi’s finest museums, followed bydelicious lunch and curated shopping. After dinner, our evening ends with the sound and light show at the beautiful 16th-century Old Fort. Next morning after a sumptuous breakfast, we hop on our very short flight to Dehradun from Delhi.
Navdanya, Dehradun
The bucolic Navdanya Biodiversity Sanctuary is the creation of Vandana Shiva, the world renowned environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, and eco-feminist (we may even get a chance to meet her!). This organic farm nestled in a fertile valley in the shadow of the Himalyas, is home to 2200 varieties of crops, 151 species of farm trees, 44 different species of pollinators and 78 types of birds from the blue peacocks to the egrets! Navdanya (meaning nine seeds) has worked to conserve thousands of indigenous and rare seeds and created 120 seed banks spread across 22 states of India, training millions of farmers in organic regenerative agriculture and GMO & chemical free farming practices. Here we will live simply, aligning with the cycles of Mother Nature and sampling the abundant blessings of this fertile land, taking in classes on farming, cooking etc.
Ganga Kinare, Rishikesh
Our home for 6 days in the Land of the Sages (Rishikesh), Ganga Kinare(meaning on the banks of the Ganges), is a small and lovely hotel with rooms offering a view of the Ganges and the nearby national wildlife park. With it’s own walking path along the Ganges and it’s Ganga temple, this place sets us up very well for our spiritual immersion in this holy town. Here in Rishikesh, we will be steeped in the practices of Yoga, Ayurveda, Fire Ceremonies & Vedic rituals, Chanting, Kirtans, Spiritual discourses, Ganga Aratis and Poojas. We vist ashrams, ancient meditation caves and temples in the Himalayas. We experience gentle rafting on the Ganges and take a trip to the nearby wildlife park. We spend some time and offer seva ~ to the beautiful children at one of the schools which educates, feeds and provides healthcare free of cost to hundreds of children from poor families across the area. (This school is the vision and the creation of a woman who has dedicated her life to serving the needs of the women and children who need it the most).
ITC Mughal, Agra
Our home while we experience the splendor of the Taj during sunrise, sunset and perhaps even under the glow of an almost full moon. Sprawled over 35 acres of beautiful gardens, and in close proximity to the Taj Mahal, the stunning ITC Mughal in Agra is a fitting tribute to the great Mughal builders of the past – an excellent representation of Mughal architecture.
Andaz, Delhi
Located in Aerocity, next to Indira Gandhi International airport, Andaz Delhi is a modern hotel, with an airy and spacious feel. Unique pieces of local art adorns each room and the café serves up delicious food made with consciously sourced ingredients. This will be our home upon our return from Agra. Our last bit of sightseeing on this day includes a beautiful temple and a gurudwara. We end our day with a grand celebratory dinner, reminiscing our 12 days together.
PRICING DETAILS
Acommodations
Please note that all accommodations are double/ shared occupancy.
If you would prefer your own private room (single occupancy) for the trip, please let me know as soon as possible. It can be arranged based on availability, at an additional cost (add $1,200)
Please note that only shared accommodations are possible at Navdanya, single accommodation is not available
Trip Costs
$3,200 Early Bird Special – by January 10 – ($600 deposit required to reserve spot)
$3,400 Regular (after January 10)
Add $1,200 for single occupancy supplement
What’s included
- Accommodations for 12 nights
- All meals (100% vegetarian)
- Ground transportation for entire stay (including airport pickup and drop-off)
- Domestic airfare (Delhi – Dehradun)
- Tour guide services
- Cultural programs, entrance fee to museum visits & attractions
- Visits to ashrams, temples and places of meditation
- River rafting on the Ganges and visit to wildlife sanctuary in Rishikesh
- Yoga, Ayurveda treatments, Yoga nidra, Meditation, Pooja, Kirtan, Ganga Aratis
- Ayurveda and tantra talks, spiritual discourse
What’s not included
- Airfare from US to Delhi and back
- Food and beverages outside of what is provided as part of the retreat
- Tips (discretionary)
- Personal Shopping expenses and items of a personal nature
Payment Policy
$600 deposit (non-refundable) along with completed registration and signed forms by January 10 to reserve your spot
Balance – $2,600
First Payment – 50% – $1,300 by January 15
Final Payment – 50% – $1,300 by February 10
Note – Trip can always be paid in full before February 5; Add $1,200 for single occupancy
Payment can be made by check, cash or Paypal friends and family (avoid service fee).
Credit Card payments are possible, with an additional 3.5% service fee.
Retreat Cancellation Policy
- $600 initial deposit is non-refundable
- If, for any reason, you need to cancel your participation in the retreat and do so by January 10, 2018, 50% ofthe payment (minus initial deposit) will be refunded
- No refunds on cancellations made after January 10, 2018
- In the rare case of cancellation of trip by me (due to unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to, family emergency, natural disasters, political unrest, dangerous weather, significant currency fluctuations or low sign-ups) you will be fully refunded
Please note that the cancellation policy is strict as I must pay the hotels upfront and abide by their strict cancelation policies. Also, we will be traveling to India during a season when accommodationsare in great demand, so it’s necessary to book well in advance.
DETAILED TRIP ITINERARY
(MARCH 16 – 28)
Detailed Trip Itinerary (March 16 – 28)
Please plan on arriving into Delhi on Mar 16, ideally during the day time – I will send information regarding suggested airlines and flights with ideal arrival times into Delhi, once the group has formed. You will need to fly out of the US, either on Wed Mar 14 or Thu Mar 15 (depending where you live in the US) to reach Delhi on Friday, Mar 16. You will book your departure on Wednesday March 28 – given the time difference, you will arrive in the US on the same day (Mar 28)
Please note that the Leela Palace in Delhi has a check in time of 2pm, although they will accommodate (based on availability) check-in after 9:00am ~ arrival at an earlier time (earlier than 9am) would require an extra night’s accommodation (not included as part of the retreat – if you would like to arrive earlier, please let me know and I will let you know the rates based on single and double occupancy)
Check out time at Andaz Delhi is noon; early check out for early morning flights on Mar 28 will not be a problem (our program ends with dinner on Mar 27); this hotel is very close to the airport and transportation can be provided at any time.
Day 1, Friday, March 16 – Arrival at Delhi airport * A day of relaxation and limited sight-seeing
You will be picked up from the airport and brought to the Leela Palace
1:00 – 2:00pm – Lunch
3:00 pm – Opening Circle, Intention setting and meditation (subject to change based on participant’s arrival times)
4:30pm – Leave for sight-seeing (subject to change based on participant’s arrival times)
7:30pm – Retreat Welcome Dinner
Day 2, Saturday, March 17 – Exploring Delhi
7:00 – 9:00am – Morning walk and breakfast at the Lodhi Gardens
10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Sightseeing (museums) with break for lunch
5:00 pm – 9:00pm – Shopping, Evening program and dinner
Day 3, Sunday, March 18 – Leave Delhi for Dehradun; arrive at Navdanya
7:00 – 8:00am – Yoga (in our rooms/ gym/ guided session)
8:30am – Breakfast
10:00 am – Leave fort the airport (Flight duration from Delhi to Dehradun is 1 hr.)
4:00pm – Arrival at Navdanya in Dehradun
5:00 – 8:00pm – Activities on the farm, including dinner
8:30pm – Evening circle
Day 4, Monday, March 19 – Navdanya
6:30 – 7:30am – Yoga
8:00am – Breakfast
Rest of the day engaged in farm activities, classes (including lunch) and quiet time
7:30pm – Evening circle, yoga nidra and meditation
Day 5, Tuesday, March 20 – leave Navdanya for Rishikesh
6:30 – 7:30am – Yoga
8:00am – Breakfast
9:00am – Leave Navdanya for Rishikesh ( approx.. 2 hour drive)
Noon – check into Ganga Kinare
1:00pm – Lunch
3:00 – 5:00pm – sightseeing Rishikesh
5:30 – 7:00pm – Ganges Arati
7:30 pm – Dinner
8:30 pm – Evening circle, meditation
Day 6, Wednesday, March 21 – Day 9, Saturday, March 24 – Rishikesh
6:00 am – Yoga (at the hotel, as well as Ashrams/ Yoga schools in the area)
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Trips to temples, meditation caves, wildlife park, local school, Ganges river rafting
4:30pm – Afternoon Yoga/ meditation/yoga nidra (schedule permitting)
5:30 – 7:00pm – Ganges Arati
7:30 pm – Dinner
8:30 pm – Evening circle, reflection, meditation, yoga nidra, spiritual discourse
Note – arrangements will also be made to have additional Pooja (fire ceremony) for our group
Day 10, Sunday, March 25 – Leave Rishikesh, fly back to Delhi
6:00 am – Yoga
8:00 am – Breakfast
10:00 am – Leave for Dehradun airport
4:00pm – Arrive in Delhi (overnight stay at Andaz)
7:30 pm – Dinner
8:30 pm – Evening circle, reflection, meditation
Day 11, Monday, March 26 – Drive to Agra, to see the Taj Mahal
7:00 – 8:00am – Yoga (in our rooms/ gym/ guided session)
8:30am – Breakfast
10:00 am – noon – Sightseeing and shopping
1:00pm – Leave for Agra
5:00pm – Check into our hotel, ITC Mughal
6:00- 7:00pm – Taj viewing at sunset (from across the river)
8:00 pm – Dinner
9:00pm – Taj viewing under the moon (weather permitting, from viewing points)
Day 12, Tuesday, March 27 – Main Taj viewing trip and return to Delhi
5:30 am – 8:00 am – Sunrise Taj experience and viewing (we go inside)
9:00 am – Breakfast
10:00 am – Leave for Delhi
2:00 pm – Check into our hotel (Andaz)
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Sightseeing
7:30pm – Celebratory dinner
9:00 pm – Evening circle, meditation, musings and goodbyes
Day 13, Wednesday, March 28
8:00 am – Breakfast
Drop off at Delhi airport (based on individual flight timings)~
Please note that activities and timings are subject to change. Also, please remember this is your retreat. You are welcome to refrain from participating in some activities if you so choose.
This spiritual sojourn was just that, a beautiful blend of culture, spirituality, ritual, and history. As soon as I saw Sandhiya post this retreat- I could not think of anyone better to lead us to the heart of Ayurveda. Sandhiya’s eye for curating a beautiful and authentic experience is what made this retreat stand out. I continue to carry the magic of India with me as I have re-entered my daily life and meditate upon those experiences regularly.
IMPORTANT STUFF
Travel Insurance
It is highly recommended that participants purchase a comprehensive trip insurance that includes trip cancelation, international medical & emergency evacuation insurance – there are many companies to choose from including Travelex, World Nomads and InsureMyTrip that offer such coverages at a modest cost
Passport & Visa Requirements
A valid passport and visa are required for entry into India!
US Passport: If you don’t already have a passport please log onto www.travel.state.gov for more information. Please note that your passport MUST be good for six months after the completion of your trip.
Visa
You MUST have a valid tourist visa to travel to India and it is recommended to arrange for this sooner than later, because depending on your choice this process can take up to a month. However they also have an E-visa that can be got in a short amount of time.
Here is a link to the online portal
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
E-Visa
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Private Agencies
The following company is a private firm that will handle the whole procedure for you, there is an
additional charge, but this is absolutely the easiest way to proceed.
Travisa: https://www.travisa.com
For Orange County residents, there is a local company that handles visas
The Passport Pros – http://thepassportpros.com/visas/
Visa applications sent by mail generally are said to take about 7-9 business days to process from the date of receipt. However, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you are applying for a 6 month visa, please know your visa’s validity begins on the date of issue! Please plan accordingly. Tourist visas are available for 6 months, 5 or 10 years.
Vaccines
Alchemy Ayurveda does not offer medical advice. We recommend speaking to your primary care physician or a travel clinic in your area before deciding upon vaccines. For up-to-date information, you can consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov
INDIA!
Deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity.
Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa to the compelling craziness of big cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.
This mystical and beautiful continent with its allure of exotic cultures and traditions offers a diverse array of experiences. From the majestic landscapes of the snow-dusted Himalayas, geometric tea plantations, vast Camel-dotted deserts and the sun-washed beaches; to the tranquil temples, colourful festivals, crumbling fortresses, swarming spice bazaars and vibrant cities, India is an intoxicating cultural cocktail that has been known to capture the heart and elevate the soul.
Home to a billion and an half people, India is not for everyone! While it is getting more ‘westernized’, it can still be a challenge for many not used to this part of the world. It is exotic, colorful and deeply spiritual. It can also be chaotic – a crazy mix of sounds, smells, and sights. The best way to experience India is to be open minded and open-hearted. Be open to all the experiences and delight in the beauty, the warmth and the ancient mysticism of India and her people, and you will have the trip of your lifetime!
I hope you will join me on this spiritual sojourn.
Namaste,
Sandhiya
