Yogic Cultural Journey North India

Name: Yogic Cultural Journey North India - The Yoga Department
Price: 5495 AUD
Availability: InStock

Duration

15 nights

Location

North India

Departure

September 13, 2025

Price

$5,495

Tour Details

The purpose of this journey is to provide travellers with an introduction to the ancient Spiritual traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout North India as well experience the cultural highlights, which are intimately linked to the Sspiritually of this incredible country. The journey begins in the capital of India, New Delhi. After a few days exploring and sightseeing, we head south to Agra to visit the majestic Taj Mahal, an essential stop on any North Indian itinerary. Next, we head up to the foothills of the mighty Himalayas to Rishikesh – the home of Yoga based on the Ganges River and immerse into our Yoga Retreat at a luxury riverside resort. After feeling rejuvenated and restored from our yoga retreat, we head south to the holy Hindu city of Varanasi, know as the “City of Light” also situated on the Ganges River. Here we explore all there is to offer, including visiting ancient Hindu temples, and watching the awe inspiring, Arti fire ceremony, performed by Brahmin priests. Next we visit the town of Sarnath, where Lord Buddha held his first sermon and dharma teaching. Bodhgaya, is next, where Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree approx 2500 years ago. Lastly, we head to the former British capital of Kolkata in West Bengal, known as the “City of Joy” a melting pot of cultures .

About our Yoga Teacher – Tonita Salmon from Sparqe Education & Yoga

With a career spanning over 20 years, Tonita has gained a wealth of experience in leadership, advisory, and managerial roles, working in partnership with national education and mental health organisations in England and Australia. These include the Black Dog Institute, Headspace, NSW Department of Education, Anna Freud Centre UK, Department for Education UK, Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), and TES Global. Through her work as a consultant in the education and health sectors, Tonita learned the importance of dedicating time and energy to self-care in order to be the best version of herself, both personally and professionally. With a strong belief in natural healing, she adopted holistic approaches to overcome her own health challenges and now seeks to empower others to take control of their own health and well-being. Tonita’s passion for yoga began in 2009; it has had a profound impact on her well-being ever since. Over the years, she has practiced various yoga and healing modalities and completed her 200-hour Hatha yoga training with Woke Yoga in Sydney. Her teaching experience includes classes at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, Sydney, and at Fitness First gyms on the Northern Beaches. Tonita’s approach is both motivating and compassionate, guiding students with humour and love, therefore she is the perfect person to teaching on this special journey to India.

Tour Itinerary

13 & 14 Sept

ARRIVE DEHLI

Delhi, India’s capital city a hub of history and culture. In Old Delhi, a neighbourhood dating to the 1600s, stands the imposing Mughal-era Red Fort, and the sprawling Jama Masjid Mosque. Nearby is Chandni Chowk, a vibrant bazaar filled with food carts, sweets shops and spice stalls. Steeped in history yet overflowing with modern life, colourful Delhi pulsates with the relentless rhythms of humanity like few other cities on earth.

Group arrive at Delhi Indra Ghandi International airport
Group transfer to hotel in private bus check into and early night
Breakfast and orientation meeting with our tour leader
at approx 11am a guided sightseeing tour in and around Delhi, including Mahatma Gandhi memorial, Jama Masjid Mosque in Old Delhi
Evening if energy and times permits a restorative yoga class
Group dinner at a local restaurant or in the our hotel

Stay 2 nights Delhi

Sculpture_of_hasta_mudras_at_Indira_Gandhi_International_Airport

15 Sept

DELHI | AGRA - THE TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal - A magnificent mausoleum complex commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is often considered to be the world's best example of Mughal architecture.

After breakfast, departure in our group bus to Agra the home to the Taj Mahal
Arrive check into hotel for lunch and rest or free time
Sunset walk down to the Yummna Riverside and perhaps so meditation on the River banks
Back to hotel for dinner

16 Sept

AGRA

At sunrise group entry into the Taj Mahal with local guide
Back to hotel for breakfast
Sightseeing tour of Agra. Including the majestic Agra Fort for magnificent views of the Taj Mahal
Back to hotel for a restorative sunset Yoga class with Tonita
Tonight we host a special evening with a visit to a cultural music centre followed by a dinner at a local Mughal Restaurant

Stay 2 nights in Agra

17 Sept

AGRA | RISHIKESH - Day of Travel

Rishikesh, based on the Ganges River at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. This town is renowned as a centre for studying yoga, meditation, and spiritual pursuits. We shall immerse in our yoga classes, as well explore all the spiritual sites on offer on this beautiful location based on the Ganges River

Today an early breakfast and check out for our departure by train to Rishikesh
Arrive in the Himalayas and check into the beautiful Yoga Retreat Resort overlooking the Ganges River
If time permits a restorative evening restorative yoga class
Relax & dinner in hotel

18 – 21 Sept

RISHIKESH

Daily Schedule in Rishikesh

Sunrise Daily sadhana
Breakfast – 9:00 – 10:30am
Sightseeing Time – approx 11:00 onwards
Lunch – approx. 1pm or 2pm TBA on the day
Sunset yoga practice or visit to the Ganges River for Evening Arti & other local cultural and spiritual events
Dinner provided in hotel

Sightseeing Rishikesh

Beatles Ashram – In Feb 1968, theBeatles travelled to Rishikesh to take part in a Transcendental Meditation (TM) training course at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The visit followed the group’s denunciation of drugs in favour of TM and received widespread media attention, today it is beautiful artistic museum.
Visit of local Ashrams, spiritual sights, and Hindu temples & markets
Arti Ceremony on the Ganges River
Local easy trekking with local guide
Ayruvedic massages and treatments (separate cost)

5 nights – Rishikesh – Dewa Retreat

Dewa Retreat – A Himalayan Resort

Located just 500 metres from the banks of the mighty Ganges River and the famous Lakshman Jhula (bridge),

Dewa Retreat offers a 24-hour front desk, free W-Fi and features an outdoor swimming pool on property as well as a fantastic Yoga Shala with views of the mountains. There is an fantastic organic café next door serving up snacks and drinks.

22 Sept

VARANASI - Day of Travel

Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the spiritual capital of North India. Located on the Ganges River, Hindu pilgrims from around the country believe to die in Varanasi ensures an end to the circle of re-birth or reincarnation. A truly spectacular town not to be missed on any journey to North India. They say just to witness Kashi or to be near the Sacred Rivers of the Ganges, is enough to remove all our worldly sins and expedite your transition to enlightenment

Breakfast at approx 9am then check out and depart Rishikesh to Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi our local guide will meet and greet us and transfer us to our Yoga Retreat hotel
Free time, relax a swim in the pool and sunset yoga class
Group dinner and relax with an early night

23 Sept

VARANASI – THE HOLY HINDU CITY

Varanasi draws Hindu pilgrims and foreigners from around the world to experience this incredible city. Pilgrims bath in the Ganges sacred waters and perform funeral cremations. Also, along the cities winding old city streets, are some 2000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the Golden Temple, dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva.

Sunrise Yoga class in our Hotel
Group breakfast at approx 9am
11am sightseeing tour of the Old city laneways and local temples
The group will return to the hotel either by boat or cycle rickshaws, a great experience for all
Evening Arti ceremony on the ghats. Arti is a fire puja ceremony devotion conducted by local Hindu priests in worship to Mother Ganga
Dinner at hotel

24 Sept

VARANASI | SARNATH – BUDDHISM

Today a special sunrise boat trip along the Ganges to witness all the activity by the locals bathing and praying to the Holy River
Group breakfast back hotel at approx. 8am
Next we head out for a special sightseeing excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha first preached the 4 Noble Truths to his disciples in the 5^th Century B.C. after reaching enlightenment in Bodhgaya
Sunset yoga class
Dinner at hotel

Stay 3 nights in Varanasi

25 Sept

BODHGAYA - BUDDHISM

The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, Buddhist Stupa (temple) in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree 2500 years ago.

Early breakfast then departure in group bus from Varanasi to Bodhgaya, the spiritual heartland of Buddhism and a major pilgrimage site for Buddhist pilgrims and Monks from around the world. Stopping for Chai and samosas along the way.
Arrive check into hotel and relax by the pool
Sunset yoga class either in the hotel or at a local temple
Dinner at hotel

26 Sept

BODHGAYA – TEMPLE EXPLROING

Sunrise Yoga class followed by breakfast
11am head out on a guided sightseeing tour of the vast array of including Buddhist temples spread around Bodhgaya.
Sunset visit & evening meditation or yoga class at the incredible Mahabodhi temple
Back to hotel for dinner

Stay 2 nights in Bodhgaya

27 Sept

Bodhgaya | Kolkata – The City of Joy

One of India’s most historic and cosmopolitan cities, Kolkata, based in the state of West Bengal is also known as the "City of Joy". Once the capital of the British Raj, it has been at the centre of activity of various civilizations. The city’s stunning architecture pays testament to its social, political, and cultural richness the its British past.

Sunrise Yoga class and a hearty breakfast before departure to our final destination
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata airport transfer to hotel and relax free time
Evening wander int he local area or if time and energy permits a restorative yoga class
Dinner at hotel

28 Sept

KOLKATA | BACK TO AUSTRALIA

Today being a our last day to visit some sights around Kolkata such as Mother Theresa House, Queen Victoria Memorial which is dedicated to Queen Victoria the head of British India at the time
Back for our final yoga practice class with Tonita.
Dinner at hotel check out and depart to airport evening flight back to Australia

Stay 1 night in Kolkata

Book Your Tour

Desitnation

Room Type

Price

Yogic Cultural Journey North India

September 13, 2025

Availability: 18 in stock

For those who do not wish to pay for a single room, we automatically arrange same sex twin room sharing. You can also nominate the name of your room buddy in the booking form.

NB: Tour must run with a minimum of 12 and maximum of 18 pax. All bookings are to be done on the Yoga department website.

Please review our terms & conditions for more information.