Acerca de
Rishikesh Retreat
Delhi-Agra-Rishikesh
March 16-28, 2024
Our adventure begins in Delhi, the intriguing cultural and historical center of India’s past and future, built over 450 years by a succession of empires - first the Hindu and Muslim dynasties, followed by the powerful Mughal dynasty who ruled until the British took over. Delhi offers its visitors glimpses of the stupendous power and wealth of its past. Where even the most modern parts of the city retain their distinctly Indian identity, here you will find a model of the latest car cruising through the streets and at the busiest intersection you will find a herd of doe-eyed cows oblivious to the traffic!
​
Delhi is divided into two distinct parts, Old Delhi, and New Delhi. We will explore Old Delhi which was the capital of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries. Once a walled city, it still contains its fabled, colorful bazaars and a myriad of narrow streets, of which Chandni Chowk, with its never-ending but ever fascinating chaos remains the most famous.
​
Next we'll take the train to Agra, the capital to the Mughals in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Agra was the repository of many of the Mughals most famous monuments. We'll visit the Agra Fort, set on the bend of the River Yamuna. Emperor Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1565-1573. This magnificent fort, with its imposing gates, walls of red sandstone and moat, dominates the center of the city.
​
Our tour continue to the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more! Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants! The Taj was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (literally translated as Jewel of the Palace).
From Agra we will make our way back to Delhi, then fly to Rishikesh, "Yoga Capital of the World" in the Tehri Garhwal region of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by the hills of the Lesser Himalayas on three sides with the holy Ganga river flowing through it, Rishikesh is an ethereal experience. It is believed that meditation on the land of this holy place leads to awakening. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams which are internationally recognized as centers of philosophical studies, yoga and other ancient Indian traditions of wellness. Every year thousands of people visit the ashrams to meditate and gain peace of mind and spiritual knowledge.
We will engage in daily yogic practices, teachings, satsangs, and kīrtan. From our home base in Rishikesh we will take daily excursions to soak in the history, temples, holy sites and sacred landscapes of the area where the ancient yoga masters lived and roamed.
Check out more images from our last visit to Rishikesh and the Taj Mahal!
ITINERARY SUMMARY
Please click on the links to learn more about the sites we will visit.
​
Day 1: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Arrive in Delhi
Meet & Greet
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2: Sunday, March 17, 2024
Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning exploration of Old Delhi including a drive past the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk
Visit to the Gandhi Memorial and Museum
Afternoon drive through New Delhi, a photo stop at India Gate and Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Drive past the Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajpath and Government Buildings
Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar
Evening proceed to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Day 3: Monday, March 18, 2024
Delhi – Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the railway station
Board train to Agra
Arrive Agra and visit the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal
Afternoon visit to Itmad-ud-Daulah
Take the train back to Delhi
Day 4: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Delhi – Dehradun – Rishikesh
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the airport
Fly from Delhi to Dehradun
From Dehradun drive to Rishikesh - approximately 1½ hours driving time
Afternoon at leisure
Day 5: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Explore Rishikesh including Laxman Jhula and Trimbakeshwar Temple.
Enjoy a walk from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula
Visit Goa Beach and Swargashram
Continue to Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Ghat
Day 6: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Afternoon visit to the Beatles Ashram and Janki Setu
Evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat
Day 7: Friday, March 22, 2024
Rishikesh – Haridwar - Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Haridwar Excursion (one hour drive)
Explore the area including Shanti Kunj, Pawan Dham, Daksh Temple at Kankhal (Old Haridwar) and Anandmayi Ashram
Explore the local market
Proceed to Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga Arti
Return to Rishikesh
Day 8: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion: Vashista Cave (To reach this cave, one has to climb a flight of around 200 steps - optional) and Neergarh Waterfall - Approximately 1 hour driving time one way
Day 9: Sunday, March 24, 2024
Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion to Kunjapuri Temple - 10 km hike or drive
Drive back to Rishikesh
Day 10: Monday, March 25, 2024
Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Enjoy an excursion to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – 1.5 hours drive
Day 11: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Rishikesh
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Day to enjoy optional activities: Rafting, Rajaji National Park safari, Cooking Class, Ayurvedic Spa
​
Day 12: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Rishikesh – Dehradun - Delhi
Morning Yoga
Breakfast at the hotel
Drive to Dehradun - - Approximately 1 ½ hours
Arrive and proceed to the airport
Fly from Dehradun to Delhi
Arrive Delhi and proceed to the hotel
Day 13: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Depart Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to the airport
Depart for home
​
HOW MUCH?
​
Shared Double Room: $2,500 per person
Private Room: $3,400 per person
​
A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Ready to book? Email Jessica at oxcomyoga@gmail.com for a deposit payment link!
​
​​
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
​
THE TRIP COST INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
-
Accommodation in private or double room as per the pricing options
-
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast in Delhi
-
Meal Plan: Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner) in Rishikesh. Note: there may be an occasion in Rishikesh where we choose to have dinner outside of the hotel. This would not be included in the trip cost.
-
Ground transportation services using air-conditioned Tempo Traveler
-
Meet and greet services in each city
-
English-speaking local guides
-
Entrance fees according to the program
-
Rickshaw ride in Delhi
-
Train fare from Delhi to Agra
-
Airfare from Delhi to Dehradun
-
All currently applicable taxes
​
THE TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
-
Any services other than the ones mentioned above
-
Cost of yoga classes taken at local ashrams (generally $10-20 per class.)
-
Room service
-
Airfare from home country to India
-
Visa charges, airport taxes, table drinks, telephone calls, tips to driver/guide/naturalist, camera fees, international airfare
-
Laundry service
-
Any travel / medical insurance
-
Any other expense/changes due to unforeseen circumstances while in India
-
Any other thing not mentioned in “Cost Includes” section above
​
​
Questions? Please contact Instructor, Jessica Lohrey at oxcomyoga@gmail.com
​
Ready to say "yes"? I'll send you a deposit link and walk you through the process of preparing for this journey of a lifetime.
