Come travel with us in 2019 to the Himalayas in India for an incredible 9 day adventure!

For decades, India has always been a destination that many dream of visiting someday to experience a land of mystic, grandiose, color, culture and deep rooted history. Yes, in many places cows still roam the streets, along with the occasional elephant, camel and sheep. Yes, festivals are celebrated with much pomp and splendor and street food is the best kind of food there is.

But India is so much more than all that we see online or experience in its vibrant cities. Life really begins to unfold when you take a step back and wander the backroads, away from the bright city lights and big shopping malls.

The Retreat Experience

Come journey with us to the Northern part of India where the mighty Himalayas showcase their majestic glory. Known as The Land Of The Gods, Uttarakhand (a state in Northern India) is an outdoor lover’s delight. Steeped in culture, ancient temples, folk lore and a special spiritual energy and vibration, this land will leave you captivated with its natural beauty.

Over this 9 day trip, you will visit UNESCO sites, non-government organizations in the area, ancient temples, gaze at the mighty Himalayas around every bend, meet with the locals, have hands-on cooking demonstrations, help with the local harvest, engage in conversations and folklore, as well as practice daily yoga and meditation in the mountains. Weather permitting, we will also have an overnight camp at a high alpine meadow with breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and go on a wildlife safari in a National Park.Our team is comprised of visual storytellers, wanderers, a local trek guide who has led National Geographic and Discovery Channel teams in the mountains, local chefs along with a handful of local support staff.

The Himalayas are truly a dream destination.

People are always ready with a smile and welcome you into their hearts and homes with warm cups of chai (tea). Conversations are deep rooted and meaningful beyond the ‘Hello, how are you?’ Smiles are genuine and the interactions with nature, people and animals always leave you feeling innately satisfied and energized.

Come join us for a once-in-a-lifetime travel adventure!

The Retreat Dates – November 11th to November 19th 2019

The Retreat Guest Profile

This trip is perfect for you if you

• value cultural diversity and international experience
• are looking for a deeper connection with the world we live in
• enjoy the outdoors, mountains and nature
• value adventure and consider personal & emotional growth a priority
• appreciate comaradarie that stretches across oceans, language barriers and cultural differences
• want to try India food (in India), soak in the beauty of the highly Himalayas and the crisp mountain air and want to get lost in the rural villages
• want to go on an adventure safari to see India’s wildlife

This retreat is an unique, hands-on experience. We want to provide our guests an opportunity to really be present in each of the experiences we have custom tailored and find sustenance of every kind—physical, emotional, and creative.

If you have any questions before signing up, please feel free to reach out to Karthika at karthika@culturallyours.com

The Retreat Schedule

Rest assured, you will get to experience the ‘popular’ India along with the ‘lessor known’ side of India.

We will also take you where few visitors go so that you can relax, nourish your soul, have meaningful experiences with the people and the land to become inspired to have a life well-lived.

The schedule includes:

• Exploring the cities and villages
• Learning based activities and NGO visits
• Fun, adventure, and wildlife safari

DAY 01 – ARRIVAL INTO DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND

This day is a travel day for all participants to make their way to Dehradun. Dehradun airport had direct connections from Mumbai and Delhi. Attendees will be welcomed at the airport and transported to our hotel. This day is for you to rest, get over jet lag and get familiar with India. In the evening we will have a group dinner welcoming everyone. We will discuss the details of the trip as well as give everyone a chance to meet and get to know each other.

DAY 02 – RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK / RISHIKESH

Morning yoga and meditation will kick off the retreat and after breakfast we will pack our bags and drive to Rajaji National Park for some wildlife safaris. Rajaji is known for its Asian Elephant population, deer, leopards, wild dogs and many other wild animals. It is a beautiful forest and we will spend the day here. We will head back to Rishikesh and attend the famous evening Ganga Aarti. The Ganga Aarti is a stunning event to witness where the length of the riverbank of the Ganga (India’s holiest river) is lit with oil lamps, flowers, chanting and music as thousands of devotees pay homage to the river goddess who is said to wash away one’s sins with a dip in her holy waters.

DAY 03 – RUDHRAPRAYAG

After breakfast, we will drive to Rudraprayag, a deeply spiritual place where two rivers confluence to form the holy Ganga. We will stay in an eco-lodge. Rafting and Kayaking on the Ganga is an experience unlike another and this options are available for those who wish to avail of this. For others, various hiking paths around the property lead to stunning vistas. We will spend the night in the lodge and sleep to the sounds of the waters of the Ganga flowing by.

DAY 04 – GWALDHAM

After breakfast and a morning yoga session, we will leave for Gwaldham, a charming village in Uttarakhand and our home base for the next few days. We will stay in a beautiful homestay with dramatic views of the mighty Himalayas. We will reach in time for tea and spend the evening getting a cooking demonstration of some local mountain cuisine.

DAY 05 – CAMPING IN AN ALPINE MEADOW WITH HIMALAYAN VIEWS

After early breakfast, we will drive to a local village and being our hike to one of Uttarakhand’s famous bugyals, alpine meadows, with incredible 360deg views of the Himalayas. We have access to an acclaimed National Geographic local guide who’s knowledge of the region and history is unlike any other. Sleeping in a tent or forest hut, campfire cooking and local folklore are all on the agenda. Weather permitting we will camp overnight in the area around the alpine meadow.

DAY 06 and DAY 07 – GWALDHAM

After breakfast we will wind down camp, hike down and travel back to our homestay. The next two days will be spent in and around Gwaldham to take in the mountain air, sights around town, local harvest, cooking lessons and other activities. We will also visit local NGOs who are making a different in the local community by education and promoting local sustainability. Birding and night photography (the skies in the mountains are some of the best to see the Milky Way Galaxy) will be optional activities for the photography enthusiasts.

DAY 08 – RISHIKESH AND GANGA AARTI

After breakfast, we will have an early morning start to drive back to Rishikesh. Along the way, we will stop at various local villages and UNESCO heritage temples. We will be back in time to participate in the Ganga aarti (optional) and meander around Rishikesh for those who want to explore the town.

DAY 09 – TRAVEL BACK HOME

This is the day the retreat ends. For those who want to extend their trip or even add on an extension to see the Taj Mahal in Agra, please connect with us. We have an additional supplement and are happy to make all the necessary bookings and reservations.

Day 10 and Day 11 – TAJ MAHAL, AGRA Supplement

For those attendees who want to extend their trip with a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, we will provide all transportation, lodging and meals for a supplemental cost. Please contact us for more details.

The Retreat Investment – all inclusive for USD $2,950

Payment plans are available – please email us at karthika@culturallyours.com for more info.

A deposit of $500 is required to hold your spot. This will be applied towards the final amount due. All payment is due by September 11th 2019.

For Taj Mahal, Agra supplement +$250 USD

Here is what all is included

• lodging
• all meals (except alcohol)
• transportation during the retreat
• all local activities during the retreat
• daily yoga and meditation
• transportation for safari
• safari fees

Here is what it does not include

• airfare to India (we can help you plan and book your tickets to get the best deal)
• Indian visa (details can be found here)
• accommodations / food / transportation for any additional days (beyond the retreat) in India
• entry to Taj Mahal (for trip extensions)

Due to the nature of this travel retreat, this retreat is non-refundable.

We strongly encourage you to have travel insurance to cover the retreat in the event of strikes, natural disasters, health problems, and other unforeseen events. Accommodations are based on double occupancy and guests will be paired with roommates of the same gender. Single supplement is available upon request.

The Retreat Guides

Your retreat guides are Karthika Gupta, photographer and founder of CulturallyOurs and Meeta Rao, owner of Tridiva, Mr Jawahar Bisht, NatGeo expedition local lead trek guide, Mr Kailash Bisht, Trek guide, cook and a handful of local staff.

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Photos from past trips

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