a guided journey towardsbalance, harmony, peace and joy
-
Duration8 to 11 Days
-
LodgingHigh quality Guest House and Home-Stay
-
TransportPrivate Taxis
-
PriceStarting from 985 EUR 860 GBP 1150 USD
-
Group Size4 to 8 Members
-
Trip DetailsYoga practice Tibetan culture Leisure and Countryside Walks
Package Overview
Enjoy an 8-day all-inclusive, culture orientated, luxury holiday in Dharamshala, during which you will attend a 5-day comprehensive introduction course into Sharat Aroras unique Iyengar Yoga method at the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga center.
You will be guided in 3-hour Yoga classes, which are restorative and energising and focus on alignment of the body and peace of mind.
At the same time, we bring the Tibetan charm and their lived culture and spirituality close to you by organizing daily meaningful and integrative activities within the Tibetan community of our mesmerizing hillside town.
You can join us with a partner and children, who might choose not to attend the yoga classes, but arrange their mornings independently.
The holiday can be extended to 11 days, during which we will leave Dharamshala, establish a holistic yoga self-practice and explore more of the surrounding area.
If you are booking our extended June/July tour, you will witness and participate in the amazing 85th birthday celebration of HH the Dalai Lama at the main temple in Dharamshala – an event which will stay with you for life.
Thereafter we move to an exquisite heritage cottage within an inspiring artist community, 50 km from Dharamshala. It’s set in a most beautiful countryside garden, perfect to chill out before your upcoming homeward journey.
We will visit a nearby Tibetan settlement, which has been established around a unique monastic and hermit’s community and we can enjoy a great nature walk.
You will start your Yoga self-practice at the Mirage’s splendid little Yoga hall with Mona being there to guide you, in case you have any questions left.
Would you like to join us with a partner and/or children, who prefer not to join the specialized Yoga course in the mornings? You can follow your callings and still enjoy a leisurely and exciting family holiday within our group setting. For details please contact us.
Places
-
DharamshalaIs the exiled home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a large community of ethnic Tibetans
Is a hotpot of cultural and spiritual diversity
Is a charming hillside town 6thin the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded by breath taking mountains, ancient rhododendron and pine forests, roaring streams and lush valleys -
AndrettaIs a charming traditional Indian village 50 km from Dharamshala, surrounded by fertile patty fields and soothing hillside forests
Is the home of a well-established artist’s colony, a striving earthenware pottery, the Sobha Singh art gallery and the ‘Mirage’, a luxurious rural heritage homestay
Is close to a few Tibetan establishments, monasteries and a most unique hermitage community, were Tibetan Yogis stay in lifetime meditation retreats
Highlights
-
6th July 2020: HH, the 14th Dalai Lama’s 85th birthdayCelebration at the main temple, where the whole town will participate in their finest attire
-
19th October 2020: a day’s trek to Triund, at 2875mThe closest mountain ridge to Dharamshala offering you spectacular views of the majestic Dhauladhar range and Kangra valley below
Itinerary
-
Day1BasicPick up from Kangra airport. Acclimatisation and leisurely walk around town.A guided walk around McLeod Ganj.
-
Day2BasicGuided walk around the Dalai Lama's temple complex and a visit of Norbulingka art institute.A guided walk around the Dalai Lama temple complex at McLeod Ganj. Followed by a visit to the Norbulingka institute of Tibetan art and culture with its amazing craft workshops, temple, garden, café and shop
-
Day3BasicIntroductory Yoga class and Explore Dharamkot village.Three hour yoga practice. Leisurely evening stroll through Dharamkot.
-
Day4BasicYoga in the morning. Later a visit to dolls4tibet workshop and Kotwali Bazaar.Three hour yoga class. Visit a socially aware, multi-cultural handicraft center and the local Indian market.
-
Day5BasicYoga in the Morning. Afternoon arrangements as per your choice.Three hour yoga class. We will plan the afternoon together and arrange accordingly.
-
Day6BasicYoga in the morning. A visit to TCVThree hour Yoga class and a guided tour around the Tibetan children’s village, an orphanage and boarding school, initiated by HH, the 14th Dalai Lama.
-
Day7BasicYoga. Momo making lessonThree hour yoga class and a fun afternoon making and eating Momos – traditional Tibetan dumplings
-
Day8BasicDepartureFarewell and return flight home for the group members who did not opt for the ...
-
Day8Optional06.07.2020: HH, the 14th Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday celebration at the main temple in McLeod Ganj
-
Day8Optional19.10.2020: trek to Triund or forest walk around Gallu TempleA day’s trek to Triund at 2875m or a leisurely nature walk slightly above Dharamsala
-
Day9OptionalTashi Jong monastery, settling into ‘The Mirage’, evening Yoga relaxationDeparture from Dharamsala, visit of Tashi Jong Tibetan settlement and monastery. Yoga relaxation in the evening at ‘The Mirage’ heritage home-stay.
-
Day10OptionalYoga self-practice, exploring AndrettaYoga self-practice with assistance before breakfast, exploring Andretta artist community, the local Indian village and its stunning natural surrounding
-
Day11OptionalDeparture from Kangra airport
This holiday will give you memorable insights into the Tibetan community of Dharamshala, which is the seat of the Tibetan government in exile, the home of HH, the Dalai Lama, many monasteries and Tibetan schools.
It is totally inspiring to witness how spirituality is lived on a daily basis and how successful the Tibetan’s efforts are, to keep their unique culture alive – even after 60 years of exile.
You will have learned a gentle and holistic yoga practice, which you can safely continue to practice on your own and which will help you to stay focused, aligned and at peace. It is a great way to start the day, but also to revitalize after a busy day at work. You are taking home a perfect gift for your body and mind.
You will meet people from different paths of life and make friends you might be sad to leave behind.
You will enjoy the leisure and luxury of first-class, totally unique accommodation and guidance and you will have fun and a little adventure along the way.
Many people leave Dharamshala with a slightly heavy heart and the strong resolution to return – you might be just one of them and we will be happy to welcome you again.
Accommodations
The basic prices given, are for double rooms with shared occupancy. Two single course participants can share a double room. Or you come with a partner and share a room.
Would you like to join us with a partner and/or children, who prefer not to join the specialized Yoga course in the mornings? You can follow your callings and still enjoy a leisurely and exciting family holiday within our group setting. For details please contact us.
-
Day 1 to Day 8Serkong House, DharamsalaPerfectly located just off the bustling main square of McLeod Ganj, Serkong House is close to everything in town yet offers you magnificent sunset views and maintains a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.
As part of the Norbulingka Tibetan cultural institute it welcomes you with the typical warmth of Tibetan hospitality and preserves a distinct Tibetan flavor by being tastefully accentuated with beautiful handcrafted decor pieces in the hallways and rooms alike.
It’s restaurant offers a variety of superb continental, Tibetan and Indian foods and it has a small outdoor cafeteria with stunning views down the valley.
-
Day 9 to Day 11The Mirage, AndrettaThe Mirage is a Yoga retreat and heritage homestay in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, about 50 km from Dharamshala.
The main cottage was built in 1948 and maintains a distinct vintage feel. The white house is an impeccably restored mud house and there are a few garden cottages tucked away in the Mirages beautiful countryside garden.
The Mirage has a beautiful Yoga hall, which we can use and even a small pool, filled with sparkling spring water (it is not heated, so you need to be brave).
It is set within an inspiring artists community and you can even have a go on a potter’s wheel.
Practical Info
Inclusions
- consultations with us as required via email and skype prior to your journey to ensure your best preparation
- entire organisation of your holiday from your arrival at Amritsar airport to your drop off at Delhi airport for your return journey
- 24 hours access and care by either of your hosts for the whole duration of your retreat
- immediate arrangements and care in case of medical emergency
- all accommodations in your chosen category
- all transportation fares for planned group activities
- Breakfast
- 5-day Yoga course, daily 3 hours at the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre
- Access to the yoga hall at the Mirage and additional guidance if requested
- Daily excursions or events accompanied and guided by one of your hosts
- Entrance fees to all public places
- Momo cooking class and dinner
- Arrangement of individual wellness treatments and consultations (i.e. ayurvedic Massage, consultation with Tibetan Dr, etc.)
Not included
- Return flight to and from Kangra airport
- Visa and compulsory travel insurance
- Costs for medical treatments and individually arranged wellness treatments
- Lunches and dinners (approx. 9 GBP, 10 Eur, 11USD per person, per meal)
- Laundry service
- Any personal shopping or individually arranged excursions not part of the group itinerary
- Any donations, tips etc., you might wish to offer
Prices & Booking
Single Occupancy of Room
Shared Occupancy
Partner not taking part in yoga
Children’s Price for taking part in yoga
Children’s Price for NOT taking part in yoga
Embarking on your journey
Each retreat is a highly personal as well as a community experience. We strongly believe in social integrity within our organized group, but also how we as a group reach out and integrate ourselves into the local community.
To ensure compatibility and maximum benefits for all, we have personal contact via email with each potential group member prior to booking.
Please complete the short form below for further inquiry or booking and we will get back to you shortly.
Booking Process
If you like to book your retreat, we will ask a 500 GBP / 550 EUR / 600 USD registration fee.
We will confirm the retreat as soon as a minimum of 4 participants have booked and latest 6 weeks prior the scheduled retreat.
You can cancel your booking until three months prior your retreat and we will return your full deposit. We will also return your full deposit in case we have to cancel.
We will ask for the full payment 6 weeks prior the scheduled retreat with a no return policy.
However, if our group has still a minimum of 4 members, we will be happy to put your payment towards another retreat with us scheduled within 12 months.
At the time of paying the full deposit, all group members are required to purchase an adequate travel insurance. This is mandatory for all our journeys.
We are happy to advice you on booking your flights to Amritsar and from Delhi.
Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.