This is the very best of North India! On this 14-day spiritual adventure, we travel to our three favorite cities: Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Dharamsala with an optional overnight add-on at the Taj Mahal. We'll experience India’s timelessness and its spiritual core rooted in Yoga, Ayurveda, Hinduism, and Buddhism. This spiritual adventure is for those looking to dive deep into their yoga and meditation practice amidst the pulsing magic and chaos of incredible India. Learn Raga singing & music, meditation, yoga philosophy, and asana from some of the finest teachers in the world.  Days are filled with beautiful scenery, great food, new friends, and exciting cultural activities. 

The spiritual journey begins in Varanasi - one of oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and the heart of Hindu spirituality. From there, we'll continue on to Rishikesh, considered by many to be the birthplace of yoga. We'll study yoga with an Indian master as well participate in world renowned International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Lastly, we'll travel north to the Himalayan mountains and immerse ourselves in Buddhist culture in Dharamsala, the place where His Holiness the Dalai Lama considers home. 

For those who wouldn't want to go home without a visit to the Taj Mahal, we offer a 1-night optional add-on to see this incredible Wonder. On our drive back to Delhi, we'll stop at Neem Karoli Baba's ashram to meditate in his room and soak in some seriously powerful Shakti. 

Enjoy daily yoga classes and dharma teachings with internationally renowned yoga teacher, Nicki Doane. SoulJour's founder, Ashley Melin, will guide our way. A SoulJour Pilgrimage is rewarding, challenging, and utterly awe-inspiring. It will shift our perspective and world view. We'll return home with a fresh perspective and renewed sense of Self.

Nicki is an internationally recognized yoga teacher, known for her ability to make the practice of yoga accessible to every body. Nicki Doane began her yoga journey in college, which led her to India in 1991 upon graduating. There she met her teacher, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who taught her to love her practice and to remain joyful in it. Devotion to yoga and the desire to share with and age.give back to the world are what motivate the teaching of Maya Yoga with Nicki Doane. Yoga is spirit in action, and as Nicki teaches, she inspires people to find a place of spirit inside themselves, recognizing the profound connection between the self and spirit.

Her unique approach to Vinyasa yoga strengthens all aspects of being through dynamic structural alignment, conscious breathing, and practical yogic philosophy; helping students find the deeper life of yoga. Although rooted in Ashtanga Yoga, Nicki's classes are in the Maya Yoga style, which combines asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, and poetry. She is known for being precise, passionate, and funny in her presentation of the sacred practice of yoga. Nicki lives in Maui, Hawaii, with her family and runs Maya Yoga Studio.

Ashley is the founder of SoulJour, a holistic yoga lifestyle brand dedicated to the seeker, sage, and warrior in us all. Her yoga career began when she was 18 and has been a daily staple every since. In 2004, she traveled to India along for 3-months journey. It was a life-changing experience (there were no phones back then!) and she wanted others to experience their own soul journey. In 2007, she took her first groups and she has since brought hundreds of people into the magical chaos of India. The last 3 years she traveled to India on personal pilgrimages and brings a wealth of new knowledge to this trip. 

Ashley is a mother of one 9-year old boy, a graphic designer, expert mountain biker & skier, big mountain climber, fitness junkie and 26-year daily yoga/meditation practitioner. 

Tuition

We require a $500 deposit on all trips. This deposit ensures your spot on a trip. This deposit is non-refundable so please make sure you purchase traveler’s insurance within a week of registering! The remainder of your tuition is due 60 days prior to departure. You may pay by check, PayPal, Venmo or credit card.

Passport / Visa

A valid passport is required for all international travel. Allow 4 weeks for delivery. An e-tourist visa is required for India. Please visit this site and send us your visa 2 weeks prior to the trip:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Money

• We recommend bring one or two ATM cards.

• Credit cards are not always accepted. Do not rely on this as your sole means of payment.

Travel Protection Plan & Policy

Medical/emergency coverage is REQUIRED on all SoulJour international trips and is a condition of booking with us. 

The minimum requirement is $50,000 for medical/emergency coverage including emergency repatriation. 

A Travel Protection Plan is designed to protect you around the world in the event of lost luggage, a sudden illness or death in the family, an injury or an unavoidable yet costly flight delay. It covers trip cancellation for medical reasons; trip delay; medical expenses; accidental death; lost baggage; and medical evacuation. It’s effective on the day your designated travel protection plan payment or final trip payment is received by our office. 

Your plan must emailed to us prior to departure. We recommend using TripAssure, our preferred partner.

Tipping

Gratuities for leaders, hotel porters, local guides, etc. are greatly appreciated, and at your discretion, as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and care during your trip. Please take into consideration the amount of time and energy your leaders put in to make your experience a success. The amount is entirely a personal preference.

Vaccinations

Please talk to your doctor 8-12 weeks prior to departure about any vaccinations you may need. We recommend that you have Typhoid, Hep A, and Tetanus shots current. 

For information on the most current vaccination recommendations visit the Center for Disease Control

Phone / WiFi

The easiest way to keep in contact during your trip is through an international plan on your cell phone. WiFi is available at all hotels.

Laundry

Laundry is easy and inexpensive. It takes 24 hours so plan accordingly.  Self wash is always an option as well. We recommend not bringing clothes you love and packing light. 

Single Travelers

We will make every effort to match you with a same-sex roommate when we receive your application. If you register for a trip within 90 days and no roommate can be assigned, you will be charged the single supplement fee. If you sign-up more than 90 days in advance, no fee will be charged. If a single room must be assigned to you due to a last-minute roommate cancellation, the single supplement charge will be assessed.

Physical Requirements

All SoulJour require some physical activity. Yoga and movement is part of the daily routine and prior yoga experience is helpful, but not necessary. Please make sure you are in good physical condition. Consult with your doctor before coming to obtain proper medication. 

Leaving Early or Coming Late

It is difficult but not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary please consult SoulJour before you book your adventure as each individual situation may vary.

SoulJour does not provide any cash refunds. If a refund is to be given, we will send you a check or refund your credit card. Exceptions to this policy cannot be made for any reason including personal emergencies. Travelers may transfer their payment to another trip or another person. 

The following cancellation charges apply:

1) 90+ days prior to departure date: $500 deposit is forfeited

2) 61-90 days prior to departure date: 25% of trip cost

3) 31-60 days prior to departure date: 50% of trip cost

4) 30 days or less: No refund. 

5) There are no refunds for arriving late or leaving early. There are no partial refunds for any services not used while on your trip.

6) All cancellations must be received in writing by e-mail.

If SoulJour should cancel a trip within 30 days of departure due to low enrollment, you will receive a full refund. If a trip is canceled within 30 days of departure due to terrorism or civil unrest you will receive a full refund. 

SoulJour is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trip, such as non-refundable airline tickets, or for costs incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellation or illness. Please make sure you purchase traveler's insurance. You are welcome to transfer full credit to another trip within 1 year if you are unable to attend.