This journey has been curated so you will experience India in all its intoxicating extremities from seductive, colourful, cacophonous, chivalric Rajasthan to the soothing, sybaritic, otherworldly, exclusive enclave of Vana – India’s and one of the worlds most lauded health retreats.
At the start, all your senses will be ignited by the exotic and compelling experience of the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, festivals, music, bazaars like no other on earth. Indeed, it makes you think about the meaning of life, in ways that you don’t, living in the west.
At the other end, allow your senses to be soothed by the deeply authentic healing environment of Vana – a hilltop retreat in the fabled region of Dehradun – with passionately dedicated staff offering a multiplicity of ancient and modern treatments.
Whilst the Rajasthan prelude may look familiar, we bring to this unique program twenty five years of experience, connection and familiarity that will prise open the unexpected, allowing you to float above and beneath the tourist veil.
This is a one-off program not to be missed.
HIGHLIGHTS
• seven days of quintessential exotic Rajasthan
• glorious, stylish boutique hotels in Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur
• private viewing of one of India’s most outstanding museum collections
• cooking, curated shopping, sublime meals
• seven days in one of the world’s most salubrious wellbeing retreats
AT A GLANCE
NEW !
LENGTH: 9 02 16 Days
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Light
TYPE: AoL Escorted | Small Groups | Guided | Bespoke
STYLE: culture | arts | heritage | cuisine | holistic wellness
START/FINISH: Delhi | Delhi
INCLUSIONS
All meals, entrance fees, guide, Vana 7-day wellness program, porterage
HOTEL STANDARD:
6* Luxury | Deluxe | Heritage hotels
TRANSPORT:
Luxury mini coach
TRAVEL DATES
1-16 September 2020
PRICING
9 days Rajasthan from USD $5700 twin | double share
plus domestic airfares
7 days Vana Retreat from USD $3700 twin | double share
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
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DAY 1
DELHI
On arrival in Delhi you will be met at the airport and transferred to the your 5 star hotel near the airport. Inspired by Mughal architecture, this serene, modern hotel has soothing gardens, outstanding service, and wonderful facilities
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DAY 2
JODHPHUR
Fly to Jodhpur where there is so much to explore from the majestic Mehrangarh Fort to the colourful chaotic ancient bazaars. Stay two nights in the only luxury hotel in the old town and the ‘go to’ boutique property in the Blue City that has a wonderful spa.
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DAY 3
JODHPUR
Today explore the marvellous treasures and rich museum collections of the Fort, the Royal Cenotaphs, and the astonishing Umaid Bhawan Palace.
A lunch of Rajasthani delicacies will be enjoyed to the accompaniment of heavenly, music performed by one of India’s most esteemed Santoor players. -
DAY 4
DELWARA
A scenic drive through the ancient Aravali mountains brings you to your next destination for three nights – India’s most spectacular, all-suite, heritage property – a stunning 18th C Fort whose architects have retained all the romance and splendour of the original 18thC complex, but installed utterly modern and unique interiors.
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DAY 5
DELWARA | UDAIPUR | DELWARA
A day trip to the nearby magical city of Udaipur, an oasis of white marble, soothing lakes and green hills in an otherwise arid region. Here you will visit the City Palace complex and enjoy the tranquillity of Lake Pichola’s glorious golden dusk on your private boat cruise before returning to Devigarh.
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DAY 6
DELWARA
Enjoy a day in your gorgeous hotel. This morning we offer a cooking class followed by lunch and henna, or sari tying.
The remainder of the day is free for spa treatments, a gentle meander through the local hamlet, or a visit to the nearby temples. -
DAY 7
JAIPUR
After your flight to Jaipur, settle into your heritage hotel that was a former royal hunting lodge. This afternoon visit some of Jaipur’s standout monuments – Amber Fort, the Royal Observatory and the Anohki textile museum.
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DAY 8
JAIPUR
This morning enjoy an exclusive viewing at one of Jaipur’s most outstanding private art collections inaugurated by the scions of a famous jewellery family where lunch will be served.
Later some time for some curated high end shopping before a finale dinner in one of India’s prettiest dining rooms. -
DAY 9
DEHRADUN | VANA
Fly to Dehradun via Delhi, and arrive at Vana to begin your seven-day wellness retreat. Vana is a five-star ashram, with you as the object of veneration. Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine and meditation find their roots in India, yet here in this sublime retreat are combined with spa and beauty treatments, spa cuisine and luxury accommodation
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DAY 10 TO 16
RETREAT
The state-of-the-art facilities include an outdoor pool, an indoor water-therapy pool, a fully equipped gym, various studios and pavilions, and scores of treatment and consultation rooms. Doctors plan your therapies from leading Ayurveda, Chinese and Tibetan traditional medicine practitioners.
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RETREAT
Find health from insideout and outside-in with the following inclusions
• A Retreat Program with yoga, meditation, cuisine lessons, functional fitness, talks, music and more
• Arrival and departure wellness consultations.
• All cuisine including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
• Private treatments/specialist consultations/sessions based on 2 wellness weights per night per guest.
• Attire to wear within and outside Vana, footwear, summer and winter accessories. -
DAY 16
DEHRADUN | DELHI | INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Fly back to Delhi in time for your international evening departures
TESTIMONIALS
YOUR GUIDES

Your Tour Leader, Marieke Brugman has had an abiding love affair with India for over twenty years and lost count of how many groups she has led and how many curated journeys she has designed for private travellers and small groups. India is sometimes maddening, but always fascinating, surprising, soul-stirring. She has negotiated her way throughout the subcontinent, seeking out its many hidden gems – special spas and yoga retreats, exceptional craftspeople and artisans, ambient hotels with unique character, exquisite palaces and private collections. She has a special interest in the ancient sciences and practice of yoga and Ayurveda and looks forward to sharing her friends and some of her favourite destinations such as the glamorous Raas hotels and Vana retreat.
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
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