Incredible India Retreat
Experience the ancient magic, dynamic culture and
modern yoga teachings of northern India
modern yoga teachings of northern India
November 2nd-15th, 2020
Meet your guide
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Hi everyone, I'm Blaine Wilkes! As the owner of Yoga Hive Colorado, I've had the privilege of traveling to India to bring back transformative practices and wisdom from the birthplace of yoga... and it's time to bring YOU to see it for yourself. I know from personal experience that this place has the ability to crack us wide open and give us exactly what we need in our lives... whether it's yoga, meditation, deep inquiry, personal contemplation, spiritual awakening, cultural immersions, or just some time to explore (or all the above!), India can only be described as Incredible, which is how we named this retreat.
I'm honored to be co-hosting this one of a kind retreat with my colleague, Mollie Busby — founder of Yoga Hive Studios, and owner of YH Montana and YH Wisconsin. This November, see the birthplace of yoga with us, your experienced guides, on a 2-week, carefully curated itinerary designed for immersion and personal transformation. Meet our guru, Anand Mehotra, who inspired the Yoga Hive path and teachings that you experience in our studios today! We cannot wait to take you there! |
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Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Delhi
Arrive and stay two nights at a 5-star hotel near Indira Gandhi International Airport. After the first night of sleep, adjusting to the time zone, we will venture out into the city for food, fun and the Lotus Temple.
Experience the serene quiet of the Lotus Temple in the middle of one of the most hectic and bustling cities in the world.
Arrive and stay two nights at a 5-star hotel near Indira Gandhi International Airport. After the first night of sleep, adjusting to the time zone, we will venture out into the city for food, fun and the Lotus Temple.
Experience the serene quiet of the Lotus Temple in the middle of one of the most hectic and bustling cities in the world.
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Day 3: Traveling to the foothills of the Himalayas
Upon waking and enjoying a delicious breakfast, our trusted drivers will take us on the 7 hour drive from Delhi to the Foothills of the Himalayas, outside Rishikesh. Driving through India is one of the most exhilarating experiences, and doing so with reliable transport is a must!
Upon waking and enjoying a delicious breakfast, our trusted drivers will take us on the 7 hour drive from Delhi to the Foothills of the Himalayas, outside Rishikesh. Driving through India is one of the most exhilarating experiences, and doing so with reliable transport is a must!
We will stop halfway for food, and end the day at Sattva Retreat Center, where we will stay for the majority of our time in India. This boutique center is home to Sattva Yoga Academy and the Sattva Summit. Arriving early, before the summit begins on the 7th, will give our group time to acclimate and experience excursions around the area. No detail is left unturned at this incredible place... the staff are kind, the accommodations clean, and the setting is pure bliss. (This photo is the pool at Sattva and on the left is a cafe. Mollie and I spent many a break resting with a coffee during our 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training right here!)
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We will stay in deluxe rooms at Sattva Retreat, which are spacious in size, have a private ensuite bathroom, and feature large picture windows that provide exquisite views of the Himalayas, as well as a glittering pure water way that flows down from the mountains and into the Ganges River.
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Days 4 & 5: Daily Yoga & Meditation at Sattva + Excursions
We will meditate daily on the banks of the Ganga River, and practice yoga at Sattva with our small group each morning. All our meals will take place at Sattva, and include farm-to-table vegetarian and vegan cuisine (Sattva has its own farm!) that will warm your heart and soul.
There is incredible coffee/espresso available for purchase if that's calling your name, and there is an on-site spa with a host of Ayurvedic services to nourish your body and mind. Although we will spend our days as a group, there will always be the option to hang back and spend a day to yourself or take some "me time."
Excursions around the area include hiking in the foothills, exploring/shopping in Rishikesh, experiencing Aarti on the banks of the Ganga at Parmarth Niketan, and visiting favorite places like the Beatles Ashram, temples, and more.
We will meditate daily on the banks of the Ganga River, and practice yoga at Sattva with our small group each morning. All our meals will take place at Sattva, and include farm-to-table vegetarian and vegan cuisine (Sattva has its own farm!) that will warm your heart and soul.
There is incredible coffee/espresso available for purchase if that's calling your name, and there is an on-site spa with a host of Ayurvedic services to nourish your body and mind. Although we will spend our days as a group, there will always be the option to hang back and spend a day to yourself or take some "me time."
Excursions around the area include hiking in the foothills, exploring/shopping in Rishikesh, experiencing Aarti on the banks of the Ganga at Parmarth Niketan, and visiting favorite places like the Beatles Ashram, temples, and more.
Days 6 to 12: Sattva Summit
Come together as a global conscious community at the Sattva Summit for a incredible immersion into yoga, meditation, deep wisdom, inspiring movement and transformative service! Evolve your personal practice; expand your awareness; deepen your silence; enrich all aspects of your life! Go beyond the idea of awakening. Discover what you have been looking for all along.
You'll learn from a Spiritual Master that has already made a lasting impact on the Yoga Hive brand. Anand Mehotra is a living example of what true yoga looks like on this planet. A few days in his presence, and you cannot help but lift your awareness beyond what you thought possible.
In addition to morning meditation by the river and 2-hour yoga journeys with the Masters in the morning, you'll enjoy afternoon sessions with Sattva Yoga teachers about all aspects of living and being. You can choose from the wide selection of options to custom craft your own experience, tapping into wisdom, mantra, ayurveda, yoga, business/lifestyle, and more.
Come together as a global conscious community at the Sattva Summit for a incredible immersion into yoga, meditation, deep wisdom, inspiring movement and transformative service! Evolve your personal practice; expand your awareness; deepen your silence; enrich all aspects of your life! Go beyond the idea of awakening. Discover what you have been looking for all along.
You'll learn from a Spiritual Master that has already made a lasting impact on the Yoga Hive brand. Anand Mehotra is a living example of what true yoga looks like on this planet. A few days in his presence, and you cannot help but lift your awareness beyond what you thought possible.
In addition to morning meditation by the river and 2-hour yoga journeys with the Masters in the morning, you'll enjoy afternoon sessions with Sattva Yoga teachers about all aspects of living and being. You can choose from the wide selection of options to custom craft your own experience, tapping into wisdom, mantra, ayurveda, yoga, business/lifestyle, and more.
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Experience India's culture..
Journey to sacred sites all around the area...
Learn from Sattva Teachers about all aspects of life...
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But don't take our word for it... see for yourself:
Day 13: Travel back to Delhi
We make the drive back with a new spring in our step, and a fire in our bellies to be a brighter version of ourselves. We tuck into one or two more nights at the same 5-star hotel near the airport.
Day 14: See the Taj Mahal with your own eyes
To cap off an incredible trip, we save the wildest, most iconic site for last: the Taj Mahal. Our trusted guides will transport us the 3.5 hours from Delhi to see this site, where we'll have lunch and enjoy the views — and on a return, enjoy our final dinner together in Delhi before flying out either late that evening, or the following day.
We make the drive back with a new spring in our step, and a fire in our bellies to be a brighter version of ourselves. We tuck into one or two more nights at the same 5-star hotel near the airport.
Day 14: See the Taj Mahal with your own eyes
To cap off an incredible trip, we save the wildest, most iconic site for last: the Taj Mahal. Our trusted guides will transport us the 3.5 hours from Delhi to see this site, where we'll have lunch and enjoy the views — and on a return, enjoy our final dinner together in Delhi before flying out either late that evening, or the following day.
What are you
waiting for?
Only 10 spots are available!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- All lodging from November 2nd (arrival day) to the 15th (departure day)
- Three delicious, vegetarian meals a day (Dietary needs can be accommodated!)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Flight/Transport and baggage costs to Delhi
- Indian Visa (we recommend using Travisa!)
- Meals on the long drive days from Delhi to Rishikesh — we will stop in an area where you can get whatever you want. Cost is minimal.
- Souvenirs
- Coffee beyond instant coffee at Sattva (although they have delicious espresso for sale, all the time)
- Travel Insurance
Total Investment:
- $3,250 Early Bird (Pay your deposit on or before April 15)
- $3,600 Regular Price (After April 15)
- $750 Deposit required to hold your spot
If you need to cancel at anytime after paying this deposit, for any reason, your deposit can be used for any future Yoga Hive Colorado retreat or training, less $100 processing fee. The deposit is non-transferable.
We can accommodate payment plans at any increment so long as all balances are paid no later than October 1st, 2020.
Cancellations after October 1st are not eligible for a refund, unless there is someone to take your spot on a sold out trip. In that case, you would get all your money back, less the deposit, which would stay on file with Yoga Hive.
FAQ |
What about my special diet needs? India is vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free friendly and Sattva serves vegetarian and vegan meals, exclusively. If you have other needs, please email Blaine.
Do I need a valid Passport? Yes, you need a machine readable passport valid for at least 180 days and with at least 2 blank pages.
Do I need a VISA? Yes, we recommend Travisa.
Do I need vaccinations? Officially, you are not required to take any vaccinations to come to India, although Indian embassy recommends vaccines from most common infectious diseases such as Adult Diphtheria and tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Typhoid, Rabies. Most of these vaccines give immunity starting from 2 weeks after they are given, so you need to do them in advance. You also need to make sure that you feel healthy and your immune system is not compromised at the time of vaccinations, otherwise, you might experience negative side effects.
Do I need to be good at yoga? Absolutely not. This experience will change your perspective about what yoga really is. Our Incredible India retreat is for everybody and every body!
How do I handle spending money? When we are in Delhi and at the airport, credit cards are accepted (you need to inform your credit card bank about your travel plans). When we are driving through India in more remote areas and in towns around Rishikesh, most stores and restaurants accept credit cards but it is best to have cash to be safe. There are no reliable ATMs around Rishikesh so I bring Indian Rupees (INR) with me. When we are at Sattva, if you buy incidentals such as coffee or spa treatments, there is a tab maintained for your convenience and you can pay by credit card before you leave.
What is the weather like? At this time of year, the lows will be in the low 50s and the highs could get to around 80. When we are in Rishikesh, we are in the foothills of the Himalayas so the sun dips below the mountains and it can be cool in the evenings. Plan on layers for your comfort.
Do I need a valid Passport? Yes, you need a machine readable passport valid for at least 180 days and with at least 2 blank pages.
Do I need a VISA? Yes, we recommend Travisa.
Do I need vaccinations? Officially, you are not required to take any vaccinations to come to India, although Indian embassy recommends vaccines from most common infectious diseases such as Adult Diphtheria and tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Typhoid, Rabies. Most of these vaccines give immunity starting from 2 weeks after they are given, so you need to do them in advance. You also need to make sure that you feel healthy and your immune system is not compromised at the time of vaccinations, otherwise, you might experience negative side effects.
Do I need to be good at yoga? Absolutely not. This experience will change your perspective about what yoga really is. Our Incredible India retreat is for everybody and every body!
How do I handle spending money? When we are in Delhi and at the airport, credit cards are accepted (you need to inform your credit card bank about your travel plans). When we are driving through India in more remote areas and in towns around Rishikesh, most stores and restaurants accept credit cards but it is best to have cash to be safe. There are no reliable ATMs around Rishikesh so I bring Indian Rupees (INR) with me. When we are at Sattva, if you buy incidentals such as coffee or spa treatments, there is a tab maintained for your convenience and you can pay by credit card before you leave.
What is the weather like? At this time of year, the lows will be in the low 50s and the highs could get to around 80. When we are in Rishikesh, we are in the foothills of the Himalayas so the sun dips below the mountains and it can be cool in the evenings. Plan on layers for your comfort.