Yoga World Tours

'A Life Changing Experience'

Yoga Tour

Pushkar Fair

India

In a country as large and diverse as India, where the weird and the wonderful are even more weird and wonderful than anywhere else, this is the birthplace of spiritual healing.

For someone from the west, India provides an authentic adventure - stimulating, absorbing, daunting, sometimes moving and shocking. Here is one of the world's greatest dramas; an ancient, vast and crowded land committed to the most formidably challenging exercise in mass democracy.It is a spectacle in which hope, pride, paradox and uncertainty mingle and struggleFrom north to south and east to west, the people are different, the languages are different, the customs are different the whole country is just simple different.

Mind you, for at least 4000 years, India social and religious structures have withstood invasions, famines, religious persecutions, political upheavals and many other cataclysms.

The Himalaya, the highest mountain on earth, separating India from China, borders the north of the country. Bhutan in the east and Nepal in the center actually lie along the Himalaya.

India’s first major civilization flourished from around 2500bc, for 1000 years, along the Indus river valley in what is now known as Pakistan. The origins of Hinduism can be traced all the way back to this early civilization. Influenced by Buddhism, that aroused around 500BC, is has a bit of all religions here and there.

 

Population, ah, well, China still tops the number one spot in the world but India follows nicely with over 1 milliard people, growing by a million a month, divided and united by language, caste, religion and regional loyalties.Obviously with its vast population a number of records relate to crowds and people;The largest recorded assembly of people was an estimated 15 million at the Kumbh Mela festival at Allahabad in 1989.The largest single employer in the world is the India Railways with just under 2 million people on the payroll. Can you just imagine doing those payrolls?The longest railway platform is 833m at Kharagpur in West Bengal. The State Bank of India has the most branches of any bank in the world with 12400 branches across the country.The true Indian motif is not the Taj Mahal, the elephant or the patient peasant behind the ox drawn plough. It is the crowd, the ocean of faces in the land of multitudes, endlessly stirring, pushing and moving.It is in this human circulation that one sees.The lasting memories of India are hospitality, kindness, good humor and generosity

We welcome you to the land of many promises and most of all a country that on its own is “A life changing experience”.

 

 

Rajasthan and Pushkar

Rajasthan, the land of the kings, its India’s most exotics and colorful region. The saris, the palaces, the architecture, Rajasthan is coloured in with vibrant colors and laced with wonderful smells. This diverse state is the home of the Rajputs, a group of warrior clans who controlled this part of India for 1000 years. When the Brits came on the scene, most Rajputs states signed articles of alliance with them. This allowed the Rajputs to continue as independent states, each with its own maharaja, subject to certain political and economic constraints, after all the Brits were not there for humanitarian reason but the establish their own empire controlling and gaining interest in the economy. Well, these alliances proved to be the beginning of the end for the Rajputs’. Not long afterwards, by the early 1900, many of the maharajas spend much of their time traveling the world with an army of concubines, playing polo, racing horses gambling and occupying whole floors of the most expensive hotels in Europe and America! This put their own development a bit backwards, the Brits of course not minding this at all, but by the time the English were gone this state was the least developed in literacy and had the lowest life expectancy!! So much for the Brits.

Pushkar- “ the blessing of Lord Brahma”

11 Kms. from Ajmer on the edge of the desert lays the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake - an important pilgrimage spot. The lake has a mythological significance associated with it. According to myth, Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to perform a 'Yagna' (a fire sacrifice). While contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the earth and water sprouted from three places. One of them was Pushkar, where Lord Brahma performed his Yagna. Surrounded by hills on three sides, Pushkar abounds in temples. Of these the most famous is the Brahma Temple - the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country. The holy lake has 52 ghats and pilgrims taking a ritual dip in the lake are a common sight.

India

"The Pushkar Fair Tour"

Tuesday 13th November - Sunday 25th Nov 2007

US$ 2,750

“Small groups, great guides, superb holidays”

(Included Meals, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Pushkar fair - Citadel of culture, colours & camels

Every year thousands of devotees throng around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October - November to take a holy dip in the lake. A huge and colorful cattle fair - called the Pushkar fair is held during this time. A host of cultural events against the backdrop of this pretty setting are organized like folk dances and puppet shows. Cattle auction and camel races are also a part of the festivities. This is also the time of famous camel fair. This fair is a hub of activities like camel safaris, henna applications, turban tying contest, to mention a few.

For bookings Yoga Tours India please click here

 

Day 1 - 13th Nov (Tue): Arrival / Delhi

Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bahva’ (the guest is an incarnation of God)

Most flights from Europe and the USA arrive in the afternoon and you will be picked up according to your flight schedule, meaning, no necessarily waiting at the airport for the other guests on this tour!

You will be picked up from the airport and whisk to our hotel where our founder, Michelle, will receive you. For the hungry ones a light lunch awaits you followed by a massage to relax those muscles out from a long flight, or vise versa. Dinner will be joined all together to meet the other team members and go over our itinerary for the next 13 days. (L,D)

Activity of the day: Massage
Accommodation: The Connaught Hotel

Day 2 - 14th Nov (Wed): Delhi

Today is our first Yoga session where you will meet our Indian Yoga instructor directly from the Sivananda master himself.Followed by a leisurely breakfast we will enjoy a guided tour through Delhi.Rashtrapati Bhawan, the circular House of Parliament and the Memorial Arch of the First World War called India Gate. Drive past the Jami Masjid, built on a natural elevation by Shah Jahan in 1651-56 AD. It is one of the largest mosques in India and most impressive structurally. After the Raj Ghat, and visit to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, we will enjoy lunch in Old Delhi. The Red Fort was built as the royal residential and official complex of Shah Jahan. The palaces, mostly in marble, are along the riverfront, taking you back in times of opulent luxury dazzled with elegance.

After lunch we will go back to our hotel to freshen up to prepare for our evening Sound & Light show followed by dinner.

We will witness the Son et Lumiere at the Red Fort of Delhi. Indian history from the time of the Mughals till the independence of India unfolds as the story of Delhi and the Red Fort comes alive in the dark night. The skillful mosaic of sound and light illuminates legends from a hoary and passionate past. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Guided tour, palace visit, Sound & Light Show
Accommodation: The Connaught Hotel

 

Day 3 - 15th Nov(Thu): Delhi > Agra (200 Kms/4 hrs)

Agra - Keoladeo National Park (50 Kms/1 hour)

We will enjoy our early morning Yoga session where we will deepen our practice incorporating and introducing you to several types of yoga during your stay with us. You will find that by the end of this tour your mind body and spirit has soar to unknown highs never experience before.

After breakfast we will check out and drive to Agra & upon arrival check in at Hotel. After lunch we will visit the Taj Mahal, mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz

Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan and described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The vastness of geometric perfection and balance with design, together with the finesse of the rich inlay work with semi precious stones in white marble is executed with great skill.

We continue our visit to the Agra Fort, which lies on the bend of the river Yamuna. Built by Akbar over 1565-73 AD, it was successively occupied and added to by Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

Image from: myradjastan.org

We continue our drive to the Keoladeo Ghan National Park and spend the night there soaking up the sounds from the wilderness.

A fine dinner with campfire will await us. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Campfire Dinner
Accommodation: Laxmi Villas Palace

 

Day 4 - 16th Nov (Fri): Keoladeo Ghana National Park > Jaipur (178 Kms/ 4 hrs)

Our Yoga session will be in the national park enjoying stunning views. After a simple breakfast we will enjoy a Rickshaw / Horse Drawn Tonga ride in National Park. From here we drive to Jaipur (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Bird Sanctuary, Rickshaw ride
Accommodation: Shahpura House

 

Day 5 - 17th Nov (Sat): Jaipur

After breakfast we will go for a ride on a caparisoned elephant up to the Amber Fort. On the way we shall see its stunning artistry of the five - storey facade of the Hawa Mahal, one of the most photographed landmarks of Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singhji II, whose royal linage had previously ruled from Amber 11 kms away, established the “pink city” of Jaipur in 1728. The fort of Amber is built on the rugged hills that surround Jaipur. Within the Amber Fort, we will enjoy our yoga session in this most romantic city.

Our evening Soirée will consist of being wrapped in colorful sarees and meet members from the Royal family followed by sumptuous dinner.

Activity of the day: Elephant ride, Fort, Palaces & Saree tying – Soiree
Accommodation: Shahpura House

Day 6 - 18th Apr (Sun): Jaipur > Pushkar (145 Kms/ 3 hrs)

We start our morning with our regular Yoga session followed by breakfast. From here we drive to Pushkar en route visiting Ajmer. Arrive Pushkar & transfer to Pushkar Fair Ground followed by check into Swiss Tents. The afternoon is free to relax. While the evening is planned to enjoy Pushkars’ cultural program. (B,D)

Activity of the day: Camel Cart ride, cultural entertainment
Accommodation: Royal Tent

Day 7 - 19th Nov (Mon): Pushkar

Morning begins with Yoga session followed by breakfast. Day free to explore the fair grounds and enjoy the camel rides and cattle trading. Overnight stay in the Tents. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Cattle trading, Puppet Shows, Camel rides, cultural program
Accommodation: Royal Tent

 

Day 8 - 20th Nov (Tue): Pushkar

Morning begins with Yoga session followed by breakfast. Day free to explore the fair grounds and enjoy the Palm reading, astrologer meeting, acrobat performances & Rajasthani dances by local artists. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Acrobat performances, Camel races, Henna workshop
Accommodation: Royal Tent

Day 9 - 21st Nov (Wed): Pushkar > Jaipur (145 Kms / 3 hrs) Jaipur > Bikaner (Train)

Morning begins with Yoga session followed by breakfast. Morning at leisure. Later in time transfer to Jaipur to connect train at 1550 hrs to Bikaner. Arrive Bikner at 2245 hrs & transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel. (B,L,D).

Activity of the day: Train journey, experience the village life & get the opportunity to interact with local people in train

Accommodation: Gajner Palace

Day 10 - 22nd Nov (Thur): Bikaner

Morning Yoga session followed by breakfast. Later visit the Junagarh Fort started 1587 AD, one of the few that have never been conquered. It contains temples, palaces and pavilions of great refinement, thirty-seven in all, cleverly connected to the original structure. The Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas Durbar Hall, Har Mandir, Gaj Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Karan Mahal, Phool Mahal and Chandra Mahal are some of the places worth visiting inside the fort. Evening lakeside Dinner. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Visit the Fort
Accommodation: Gajner Palace

 

 

Day 11 - 23rd Nov (Fri): Bikaner > Mandawa (200 Kms / 4 hrs)

Morning Yoga session followed by breakfast. Later drive to Mandawa & upon arrival check in at Mandawa Castle. Mandawa in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan is well known for its exquisite frescos that adorn the walls. It is an open art gallery. Mythological frescos are interspersed with western paintings. Cars, trains, airplanes, ships and telephones and foreigners in hats, suits and gowns have been painted as painstakingly as mythological heroes. There are many havelis, notably the Chokhani, Saraf and Ladia havelies. Overnight at Hotel. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Visit Havelis & see some exquisite frescos
Accommodation: Mandawa Castle

 

Day 12 - 24th Nov (Sat): Mandawa > Delhi (250 Kms/ 5 hrs)

Morning Yoga session followed by breakfast. Later drive to Delhi & upon arrival check in at Hotel. Afternoon free at hotel. This evening witness a performance of the Dances of India. The performances include dances choreographed from all corners of India. You will see the Peacock Dance, the gentle Manipuri, the sensual Odissi, the masked and assertive Kathakali, the royal Kathak and the Bharatnatayam among others, that would also include dances from the vibrant state of Rajasthan. Dinner at famous local restaurant “ Chor Bizzare” and return to Hotel for overnight. (B,L,D)

http://www.mybindi.com

Activity of the day: Dance performances from various states of India
Accommodation: Connaught

 

Day 13 - 25th Nov. (Sun): Delhi > Departure

Today is our last Yoga session followed by breakfast. Day free at leisure or enjoy last minute shopping and exchange addresses with new made friends.

We say goodbye to our yoga teacher and we will bring you to the airport and thank you for being part of this life changing experience.

Namaste. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Shopping, relaxation, packing

 

Cost: US$2,750

Included in Yoga Tours India:

- 13 days, 12 nights accommodation

* 12 dinners, 12 lunches, 12 breakfasts
* All transport
* Yoga lessons
* Massages
* Dance performances
* All tours and visits as outlined in the itinerary
* Camel rides
* Elephant rides
* Sari tying
* Henna workshop

Not Included –

* 1 lunches
* Extra daily activities not listed will be optional at an additional fee
* Tips & gratuities
* Cancellation & travel insurance (we strongly recommend insurance)

For bookings on Yoga Tours India please click here

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