SPAFARI in NORTHWEST & SOUTHWEST INDIA (luxury adventure)

SPAFARI in NORTH & WEST INDIA (luxury adventure)
15 Days
Rajasthan, rich in history and culture, where proud and mysterious people built forts, elaborate palaces, lavish mansions and medieval fortresses.

Our experience includes a tour of this spectacular land of mountains, lakes and desert; the dazzling Taj Mahal at sunset and sunrise, incredibly carved marble temples, hidden forts, Mughal monuments and old city walks. Observe Hinduism's colorful practices closely and learn Yoga where it originated. We adventure on day hikes though rainforests to spectacular waterfalls and tribal countryside villages where we will have many opportunities to shop for arts and crafts. Savor flavorful cuisine and participate in Indian curry cooking classes. Delight in evening river worship ceremonies with floating lamps, colorful and elaborate Indian dances. Relax in unique accommodations that include a Maharaja palace with plush interiors, plus Ananda in the picturesque Himalayan foothills: a luxury destination resort at the birthplace of India's ancient arts of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Cultural explorations through untouched traditional desert villages and seldom visited regions of magical Rajasthan
• Visit the dazzling Taj Mahal, temples, palaces and forts of the maharajahs, participate in colorful evening ceremonies
• Breathtaking daily hikes, Yoga, Ayurveda and massages. Stay in an opulent Maharaja palace and a sacred mountain sanctuary
  * Please contact us for SpaFari trip price options. Choose your dates & companions (6 or more).
  
   

SPAFARI in SOUTH & WEST INDIA (luxury adventure)
14 Days
Our SpaFari journey travels through one of the must-see paradises of the world: the serene backwaters of Kerala, in small luxury houseboats with innumerable attractions on hand - pristine beaches, exotic wildlife, colorful festivals and tantalizing cuisine. We travel on to our Wildernest resort in the Swapnagandha Valley: one of the few actively protected and managed eco-sensitive areas in India and home to a variety of flora and fauna, leopards, wild boar and bison. Next, on to Goa and our luxurious beach resort: Yoga classes, massages, beach walks, sailing and surf. Then on to Nagarhole for hikes through misty mountains and explorations to villages, plantations and ancient churches. Onward to Coorg where we safari in search of tigers and ride on elephants. Evening events include rituals in giant Hindu temples and elaborate dances. Participate in cooking sessions and optional traditional martial arts.

Stay in luxury accommodations with traditional architecture, spas, Yoga and rejuvenating Ayurveda therapies.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a luxury houseboat though the backwaters of Kerala, relax in an eco-sensitive wilderness retreat and a luxurious beach resort
• Track tigers on the back of an elephant, jeep safari though misty jungles. Experience colorful temple ceremonies and elaborate dances

Reenergize on breathtaking hiking trails, Yoga classes, Ayurveda & massages. Participate in cooking sessions & traditional martial arts

* Please contact us for SpaFari trip price options. Choose your dates & companions (6 or more).



A COMBINED 22 DAY SPAFARI TRIP EXAMPLE:
NORTH WEST & SOUTH WEST INDIA

Day 01: Delhi: Arrival. Welcome & check-in. Day free for relaxation.

Day 02: Agra: By road transfer to Agra. Sightseeing of Agra Fort and Taj Mahal before sunset. Relaxation in Amarvilas.

Day 03: Delhi: Morning walking tour through old Agra city over the Yamuna bridge to the washermen ghat and later to the backside of Taj Mahal (Mehtab Bagh).
Drive back to the hotel. Later, drive to Delhi, with sightseeing that includes Mahatma Gandhi's cremation ground followed by free day for individual activities.

Day 04: Rishikesh: Morning train to Haridwar. Transfer to Ananda Spa and Yoga resort. Walking tour to the Swargashram area of Rishikesh finally ending at Parmarth Niketan where evening chanting of holy mantras take place. Walk back the other side of Ganga through iron rope bridge known as 'Ramjhula' (Shivananda Jhula).
Evening Yoga & Spa.

Day 05: Rishikesh: Morning Yoga, followed by a scenic day hike through forests, on the outskirts of the Rajaji National Park, to picturesque villages located on hill tops, Returning to Ananda for optional Yoga and Spa programs. Evening river worship ceremony watching at Haridwar (not to be missed event).

Day 06: Rishikesh: Morning Yoga followed by a drive to Devprayag to see the confluence of Alaknanda & Bhagirathi, and a visit to the temple located right on the confluence point. Later, a long walk along River Ganga at Shivpuri, to climb the forested hill reaching a hilltop Ashram, and returning crossing the river on a rowboat.
Evening optional Spa programs and relaxation.

Day 07: Devigarh: Morning train to Delhi, flight to Udaipur and check in at Devigarh Palace. Evening cultural performances (bon fire, folk dances and acrobatics).

Day 08: Devigarh: Morning Yoga, followed by a drive to Kumbhalgarh, one of India's largest forts located in a wildlife sanctuary. Our day hiking exploration winds through turrets to the fort and hill top palace. Picnic lunch. Our drive back stops at Ranakpur to visit the incredible marble temple. Optional evening Spa programs.

Day 09: Devigarh: Morning Yoga session, followed by a hike though the surrounding countryside, visiting the local villages. Afternoon sightseeing of Udaipur with sunset boat ride at Pichola.

Day 10: Wildernest: Flight from Udaipur to Goa (through Bombay). Transfer to Wildernest. The afternoon offers a beautiful hike though a lush forest trail.

Day 11: Wildernest: Morning Yoga session, followed by a variety of optional adventure activities and a hiking trip to waterfalls and a swim.
Returning to relax at our forest sanctuary.

Day 12: Goa: Transfer to Park Hyatt Beach Hotel and Spa. Many beach activities and spa options; including, a cultural tour of Old Goa, plus cooking classes.

Day 13: Nagarhole: Flight to Bangalore and a 5 hour scenic drive to Nagarhole. After lunch we head off to hike though the surrounding villages, plus visit to a few houses and their school. Evening boat trip to the National Park.

Day 14: Coorg: Morning jeep safari, elephant ride and coracle sailing. Small drive to Orange County, Coorg. Check-in followed by a hiking trip to Tele-cauvery known to be the source of River Cauvery. This is also a great religious site. Spa programs. Evening cultural performance. Possible wedding ceremony visit.

Day 15: Orange County, Coorg: Half day hiking tour to waterfalls, and a coffee plantation. We can also include, optional fishing. Returning to our accommodations for optional Spa treatments. Evening entertainment.

Day 16: Kochi: 5 hours drive to Bangalore and then flight to Kochi. On arrival we head off for a walking tour of the Fort Kochi and cultural heritage.

Day 17: Kochi: Morning sightseeing of Fort Kochi and Chinese Fishing Nets. Interesting activity can be to buy fresh sea food from the seaside at Fort Kochi
and get it cooked & served on spot by a beachside restaurant. Watching Kalaripayattu martial art practice. Free afternoon for shopping the famous Kochi antiques.

Day 18: Backwaters Houseboat: Full day and night luxury houseboat experience with all meals served on board.

Day 19: Kumarakom: When the houseboat docks on the Jetty, we begin a 3-4 hour walking tour on the islands heading towards our new resort.
Upon arrival and refreshments we begin a Yoga class and massages. Later, Kathakali dance performance.

Day 20: Kumarakom: Yoga session. Small drive to Alleppey to hike the countryside visiting a South Indian styled temple, where it may also be possible
to bathe a temple elephant; continue on to a traditional coir making factory, and natural rubber plantations. Return to resort: cooking class and optional spa therapies.

Day 21: Bombay: Flight to Bombay. Stay in Taj Mahal hotel. Walking tour of South Bombay area. Farewell dinner at Khyber restaurant.

Day 22: Departure: Transfer to international airport for departure flight. The tour ends.