INDIA
Cultural & YogaTour
Nov 7 – Nov 23, 2025
I am so happy to announce that I am planning a beautiful yoga tour in India again.
Whether you practice yoga or not, this experience of the ancient land of India will leave you with a lifetime of colorful memories, friendships, and a deep appreciation of the cultures of India.
We will travel together for a little over two weeks, staying in beautiful hotels for comfort, from mountains to cities to the Bay of Bengal. We will explore the east coast of India…, including history, temples, architecture, great food, and the foothills of the Himalayas.
THE ITINERARY
Friday, Nov. 7
Arrive at the JW Marriott Hotel of Kolkata, which is very close to the international airport. It may be a good idea to arrive a day or two earlier to relax and recover from the long flight. You will feel right at home!
Saturday, Nov. 8
A short flight to the capital city of Orissa, Bhubaneshwara. We stay in Bhubaneshwara from (arriving) 9th, and we stay until the 13th Thursday. Within that time during those days we will visit Puri one day and also Goddess Temple one day, while we are staying in the Mayfair Lagoon Bhubaneshwara.
Bhubaneshwara is known as the “temple city,” full of ancient 12th-century Siva Temples.
Also a beautiful day spent in Puri, at the Bay of Bengal, experiencing the small holy city of Jagannath, Lord Krsna. Puri is considered to be one of the most important holy pilgrimage places in all of India. A visit to the famous artist village Raghurajpur, where we meet most famous artist of Orissa, Mr. Bhaskar Mahapatra. A day is spent as well at the 10th century Goddess Temple in Heerapur where we also dedicate our yoga practice in the beautiful areа.
Friday, Nov. 14
A short flight to Kolkata, the city of Joy! We check into the Elgin Fairlawn Hotel, a Heritage Hotel built during the era of the British Raj in India, built in the 1700s. Experiencing Kolkata (Calcutta), we take a historical tour of the city, given by a prominent professor, who explains the history of this great city, which was once the capital of India during the British Raj era.
A visit to the home of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and the places he frequented in Kolkata is very exciting to experience. Time is given for rest and shopping, and short tours are also given if one prefers to visit Mother Teresa’s house or the first Jewish synagogue in India.
The city of Kolkata is rich in art, music, history, and politics and is truly one of the most interesting cities of India. We also spend Saturday, Nov 15 in Kolkata, enjoying the city and the lovely Heritage Hotel. On this tour, time is always given for rest as well.
Sunday, Nov. 16
A short flight to the foothills of the Himalayas, east coast of India! Fly to Bagdogra airport. This is the only airport that can access the northeast region of India. A short drive to Siliguri and check into the luxury Mayfair Tea Resort Hotel. Relaxing and, if time permits, restoring yoga practice
Monday, Sunday, Nov. 17
The Mayfair Tea Resort is located amidst the tea gardens. Yoga practice is so nurturing, with clean air, surrounded by the foothills and tea plantations. A tour of how the tea is made, visiting the tea estates, is given by a local guide—time for relaxation here and enjoying nature.
Tuesday, Nov. 18
A 3rd day at the Mayair Tea Resort. Short tours are given to visit the local sites, shopping, the Krsna Temple … all these are optional—time for yoga practice and personal time.
Wednesday, Nov. 19
After breakfast, we drive to Kalimpong and check into the Heritage Hotel, Mayfair. Kalimpong is 4,000 feet above sea level, overlooking majestic hills and valleys.
The views are so beautiful that one feels they would love to return and stay for a week or so! The famous Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize Laureate, poet, and playwright, used to come here for a vacation to absorb himself in his writings. The third-largest mountain in the world, the Kanchenjunga, is here. To be so close to this mountain and imagine the yogis who live there inspires us, yoga practitioners.
Thursday, Nov. 20
Kalimpong, yoga, visiting local history, and enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas and the clean air.
Friday, Nov. 21
Fly to Kolkata and stay in the same Heritage Hotel, Elgin Fairlawn. The hotel is in the city’s center, so any short tours one would like to do are available. The city awakens early, and we can stroll amidst the shops, talk to the locals, and enjoy the last few days here in India.
Saturday, Nov. 22
The last day in India, in Kolkata. Sun, Nov 23: flight home to the Western world!
***
The Taj Mahal in Agra is not included in this tour. But if you would like to visit a few more days, Christine will happily accompany you. We can leave on the 23rd of November and arrive in Delhi, the capital of India. We then drive to Agra, check into a very nice hotel, and on the 24th visit the Taj and various forts. Drive back to Delhi and fly home from Delhi or Kolkata. Christine will accompany you so that all goes smoothly.
Pricing & Details
Pricing and Payments
- The cost of the tour is $7.050.
- Upon signing for the tour, a non-refundable deposit of $600 is due.
- Full payment must be paid by Sept 1.
- One option is to buy travel insurance.
Cancellations
- If one cancels between Sept 2 and Oct 9, 50% penalty.
- If one cancels on or after Oct 10 and Nov 7, 100% non-refundable.
What is included
- Breakfast at all hotels and dinners at all of the Mayfair Hotels.
- When traveling by road, Toyota Inova mini coaches are used, with excellent, safe drivers, of course!
A wonderful English-speaking guide. Samar Pradhan has been with my tours since the early 1990s. He is a wonderful, expressive guide and storyteller who introduces us to the mystical and lovely history of Mother India. We all feel so safe with him and his Heritage Tour team. - All domestic airfare is included.
- Yoga classes by Christine are given every day, to keep us healthy and uplifted while traveling.
- This is a small tour. Unlike many tours, which include up to 40 travelers and are 3 times the price, this tour has the personal touch indeed.
Our guides Samar Pradhan and his and assistant Basu.
What is not included
- The tour does not include airfare to India.
- Personal shopping expenses.
- Tips for our guide and also the drivers, which is a standard for any tour.