JOIN ME
October 21-November 5, 2026
There’s nowhere in the world quite like Mother India.
No matter how many stamps fill your passport or how seasoned a traveler you are, the moment you arrive, India greets you like a whirlwind—a rush of color, sound, spice, and life. Every street corner hums with possibility; every sunrise feels like a revelation.
This journey invites you to experience that magic firsthand—from the shimmering marble of the Taj Mahal at dawn to the sacred flow of the Ganges River. From the chant-filled evenings of Aarti in Rishikesh to the rhythm and spice of bustling markets, you’ll taste, see, and breathe India’s essence—vibrant, spiritual, and endlessly surprising. If you’ve always dreamed of visiting India but felt hesitant about going alone, this is your moment.
Over 16 unforgettable days, we’ll journey together through Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Rishikesh—immersing ourselves in the country’s rich culture, vibrant contrasts, and deep spirituality.
Thoughtfully designed and fully supported, this experience offers the perfect balance of comfort and freedom. Wander hidden side streets, sit quietly in meditation by the river, or simply allow India’s beauty and energy to unfold around you. This isn’t just a trip—it’s a chance to reset, reconnect, and experience a part of the world that stays with you long after you return home.
Only 10 places are available for this intimate, curated journey.
If this is calling you, trust that feeling—and come join me. Let India sweep you off your feet. ✨
What’s Included
- All accommodations, Mumbai: JW Marriott Juhu, Jaipur : The Shahpura House, Agra : Taj Agra, Varanasi : The Clarks, Rishikesh: Modi Retreat & Wellness Center
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Chauffeur-driven Air-conditioned Car for all Airport, intercity transfers, and sightseeing as per tour program.
- Any and all day tours, boat tours, aarti
- All interior flights inclusive of 15 Kilos of check-in baggage and 7 Kilos of hand baggage.
- Train tickets
- Toll taxes and parking charges.
- In Rishikesh , All meals, consultation with Ayurvedic doctor (Vaidya), and a 2 hour treatment by two technicians.
Not included: Airfare, Indian visa, travelers insurance, personal expenses, room service, telephone calls, tips to driver and guides, spa services,
COST
Retreat fee is $6000 double occupancy Single occupancy pricing adds $1400
Due to the issue of securing plane and train reservations, guests must place a 1/3 of their deposit when signing up. Payment is due in Full by September 15th.
HOW TO PAY
Your retreat fee is payable by cash, check or credit card.
-Credit card payments are processed via PayPal. Click the below link provided.
OR payments are processed via Venmo @Nina-Siemaszko
–Guests outside the USA: If you will be using a bank account outside the U.S., please write to nina@joysisnotoptional.com for easy transfer options that will save you money on currency conversion.Cancellation Policy
If canceling one month before (September 15 ) , 50% cancelation fee.
Two weeks before the tour, no refund.YOUR ITINERARY
Step into a country of color, rhythm, and spirit. Over sixteen unforgettable days, travel from bustling Mumbai to serene Rishikesh — tracing India’s heartbeats through royal palaces, sacred rivers, and the quiet wisdom of the Himalayas.
Day 1 – Welcome to Mumbai
Touch down in Mumbai, the financial and film capital of India — a city of 23 million souls, endless movement, and ceaseless sparkle. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, let the hum of rickshaws, the scent of the sea, and the distant call of Bollywood songs welcome you to India.
For those of you who arrive early, we will take ourselves to a high tea at the famous HOTEL MUMBAI, The TAJ.
Meals: No Meals
Day 2 – Inside Dharavi & the Dhobi Ghat
This morning, step into Dharavi, Asia’s largest and most vibrant slum community. With your local guide, wander through lively lanes where plastic and metal recycling workshops hum beside bakeries and soap makers. Children wave from balconies; tailors spin bright fabrics; potters in Khumbarwada shape clay into art — a testament to endurance and creativity.
Later, visit the open‑air Dhobi Ghat, where hundreds of washermen and women rhythmically clean the city’s laundry. Amid the splash of water and sunlight on linen, you’ll feel the heartbeat of Mumbai.
Meals: Breakfast / LunchDay 3 – Mumbai Icons & the Dabbawalas | Fly to Jaipur
Explore the Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, and palm‑lined Marine Drive, glittering like a string of pearls. Then witness the legendary Dabbawalas — Mumbai’s 125‑year‑old lunch‑delivery network that serves over 200,000 workers with astonishing precision, all without tech.
By evening, board your flight to the Pink City of Jaipur, Rajasthan’s dazzling royal capital.
Meals: Breakfast / DinnerDay 4 – Royal Jaipur
Wander through the grandeur of City Palace, marvel at the astronomical genius of Jantar Mantar, and gaze up at the iconic Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of Breeze.”
The afternoon brings a chose your own adventure! Maybe the Anokhi Museum that showcases the art of hand block printing, highlighting the history and techniques with block carving and printing demonstrations throughout the day or make your way to The Gem Palace and admire the jewels of India.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5 – Amber Fort & a Taste of Rajasthan
Ascend Amber Fort and explore shimmering mirrored halls and marble courtyards that once echoed with royal footsteps.
As dusk falls, join a local host for an interactive Indian cooking class — learning spice blends, recipes, and stories passed down through generations — then dine together like family.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 6 – Through Abhaneri to Agra
Journey to Agra, city of love and legacy. Pause in Abhaneri Village to admire the thousand‑year‑old Chand Baori Stepwell, a masterpiece of symmetry and stone. Continue to Agra for your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 7 – Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort
At dawn, watch the Taj Mahal glow in soft pastels — Shah Jahan’s marble poem to his beloved Mumtaz. Later, explore the vast Agra Fort, filled with Mughal artistry, palaces, and echoing chambers that whisper of history’s grandeur.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 8 – Train to Varanasi & Ganga Aarti
Ride the superfast train to Varanasi, the world’s oldest living city. When the sun sets, gather along Dasaswamedh Ghat for the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti — priests raising lamps to the river as chants rise to the heavens.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 9 – Sunrise Cruise & Sarnath
Feel the sacred calm of dawn on a boat ride along the Ganges. Watch pilgrims bathe, offer prayers, and greet the new day. Later, visit Durga Temple and Bharat Mata Temple before venturing to Sarnath, where Buddha first taught after enlightenment. Ancient stupas, the Ashoka Pillar, and museum relics reveal India’s spiritual depth.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 10 – Wandering Varanasi
Lose yourself in the twisting alleys and ghats of Varanasi — a kaleidoscope of incense, saris, saffron robes, and temple bells. Street snacks, chants, and conversations fill every corner with life eternal.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 11 – To Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital
Fly via Delhi to Dehradun, then drive through Himalayan foothills to Rishikesh, where the Ganges runs clear and calm. Evening brings cool mountain air and a sense of serenity.
Meals: Breakfast / DinnerDay 12 – Ayurveda & the Soul of Rishikesh
Begin with a consultation from an Ayurvedic Vaidya and an Abhyanga massage that leaves you glowing. In the afternoon, stroll through town — crossing the famous Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula bridges, exploring temples, markets, and ashrams filled with the chant of “Om.”
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 13 – Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat
A day devoted to rest and rejuvenation. As sunset descends, join locals at Triveni Ghat for another breathtaking Ganga Aarti — flickering flames floating downstream, music rising with devotion, and a shared thankfulness for the day.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 14 – Meditate at Vasistha Cave
Drive along the river to the tranquil Vasistha Gufa, the meditation cave of the sage who once guided Lord Rama. The silence here feels ancient, carved from centuries of prayer. Return to Rishikesh for quiet reflection or another soothing treatment.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 15 – The Beatles Ashram
Visit the famed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, better known as the Beatles Ashram, where the band found inspiration and helped spark global fascination with Indian spirituality. The graffiti‑covered ruins still hum with creativity and peace.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / DinnerDay 16 – Farewell
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi or Mumbai for your flight home — carrying with you the spice of streets, the hush of temples, and the rhythm of the river.
Meals: BreakfastGETTING YOUR VISA
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the end date of the trip, and you’ll need two empty pages in the Visas section of your passport (make sure they are in the Visa section, not the Amendment or Endorsement section). Here is a link to apply for your passport. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html
You will need to arrange an Indian visa before you arrive.
The e-Tourist visa is good for 60 days in India and 2 entries (so, for example, if you were to take a side trip to Nepal or Bhutan, you can use the same visa to re-enter India).
Go to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html to familiarize yourself with the process. To fill out the application you’ll need information from your passport, your itinerary, a passport photo to upload, a scan of your passport to upload, and a local Indian reference name, address, and phone number (which we will provide). For this visa, you will NOT need to send your passport anywhere.If you plan on staying in India longer than 60 days, there are many reputable places to go to to help you with the process. I have used Travisa and Arista Passport and Visa Services
AIR TICKETS + TRAVEL INSURANCE
On this retreat, we require that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation. It’s a relatively small expense and affords peace of mind.
We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip.InsureMyTrip.com is a good place to see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like.
World Nomads provides medical coverage and trip cancellation for guests under 70.Carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.
Now to Plane tickets. The safest travel strategy is to avoid Middle Eastern airspace, opting to fly routes via East Asia or Europe. I would also search for fares using an incognito window.
PACKING LIST
Clothing
Although more and more Indians are adopting Western wear, traditional clothing is prevalent and modesty is the name of the game particularly around temples and holy sites. We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing and layers. Temperatures vary from warmer to cooler. Pack light to leave room in your luggage for the things you may pick up. You will want to.
-undergarments
-pants or long skirts.
-Leggings to wear under your long skirts or tunics
-cotton t-shirts, blouses, or long sleeve shirts.
-A light sweater and windbreaker/jacket
-Socks and a thicker pair for the ashrams
-Sleeping attire
-Comfortable walking shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
-A hat with a brim
-Yoga ClothingAccessories
-Yoga Mat. Manduka makes an awesome travel mat. I have traveled the globe with mine and have put some serious mileage on it. It’s my absolute favorite.
-Any other yoga accessory you think you may need, balls, strap etc.
-Ear plugs and eye shades to help you sleep better and recover from jet lag more quickly.
-Sunscreen
-Daypack . I am partial to my Patagonia as it is not too big and has a spot on the inside for a sleeve for water.
-Toiletries
-Wet wipes or hand sanitizer to keep on you for public restrooms.
-Any necessary hygiene products.
-Plug adaptor for electronics: you’ll need a 2 pin adaptor common across Europe. Check out this article for options.
-A print out of your RETURN airline ticket itinerary; you’ll need this to enter the airport to get home. You can also have a copy (we recommend a screenshot) on your phone.
-Photocopy of your passport and your visa.
-A small travel umbrella is a must. It can work for rain OR as a parasol for the sun.
-A small apothecary with any prescription drugs you need, band-aids, etc. We recommend Imodium (anti-diarrheal), a probiotic (I am a BIG fan of Jarrodophilus EPS), as well as melatonin and Benadryl for jet lag purposes. I also recommend a visit to your doc for some heavy duty antibiotics JUST IN CASE. I am a huge fan of the hospitals in India, I have had nothing but amazing experiences there, but having things ON HAND is key. If you don’t have to go to the hospital it’s a good thing, but know in advance that if you do, we got you.
-Smartphone or tablet. We recommend setting up Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp or another wifi-based calling service before leaving home, and familiarizing your loved ones with it before you leave. Leave your computer at home if you can. Since we will be moving from place to place, keeping it as light as possible will be an asset.You can get almost anything in India, but if you have specific products you can’t live without bringing them with you as it will give you peace of mind.
A SPECIAL NOTE:
Standard baggage allowance for domestic flight tickets is 15 Kilos check in baggage and 7 Kilos hand baggage. If someone’s bag is still heavier they can purchase extra baggage by paying at the Airport counter. Cost becomes approx 10 USD per kilo.
FAQ
FOOD
Vegetarians should have no problem anywhere on our travels. In fact, please note that the Ashram in Rishikesh only serves vegetarian food. Being a vegan in India is more difficult. Although meat is entirely avoidable, India is the world’s largest consumer of butter, and it is almost unavoidable in most of their curries, stews, and even breads. Many vegans that I have known who travel through India adopt what is locally referred to as a “pure veg” diet: no meat, no eggs, but it allows for dairy consumption. (It is worth noting that the reasons for avoiding dairy consumption in the west are mitigated here, as there are less factory farming and antibiotic use in livestock.) Milk can be avoided by not consuming creamy dishes or milk tea.
Gluten is also avoidable in India by choosing rice over chapatis and other local bread. Celiactravel.com has GREAT printable cards in local languages to present to restaurants and hotels about your intolerance of gluten. If you have multiple dietary needs, it may be worth your while to check out these specialty cards. When you register for a trip, you will answer a set of questions, including a question about food allergies. We’ll take a look at your answers and let you know if we have any suggestions or concerns!
From experience, I have stuck to a couple simple rules while traveling in India. Only eat cooked food, nothing fresh (even garnishes!) except for things that have thick skins (oranges, bananas). Any fresh produce needs to be triple washed with filtered water. Chai anywhere and everywhere. And no meat in India even at the big hotels. Save your meat eating for home.
WIFI?
YES! Every hotel we are at has free wifi.
CAN I DRINK THE WATER?
NO. Although many cities around the world are getting more advanced public water systems, we don’t recommend it. Not only from a pathogen standpoint, but it’s a different set of bacteria than your body is used to. Why risk an upset stomach if you don’t have to? We recommend drinking only bottled water, and you will want to rinse your toothbrush off in bottled water as well. When taking a shower, avoid opening your mouth. We provide one bottled water per traveler/per day on the trip. Filtered water is also readily available at the hotels. Plastic is a big problem in India and they are getting better about accommodating tourists and being mindful about the trash with filtered water systems. BUT Always ask and if they seem unsure BOTTLED.
WHAT VACCINES DO I NEED?
None are required to enter India, but we suggest you work with your physician or your area’s travel health expert to decide what options are best for you. Here are the CDC’s recommendations but I can no longer recommend following their guidance. Instead, here is Englands travel info. If you love animals and have a tendency to meet and greet all you come across, get a rabies shot. They are good for 10 years.
WHAT ABOUT MALARIA?
Malaria is not a risk at this time of year however but we request that you work with your physician or travel doctor when making these choices.
HOW ABOUT ANIMALS? THE COWS, DOGS, MONKEYS?
India has changed a lot in the past years in relation to the animals that cohabitate with humans. Cows garner great reverence and respect and are treated very well. Dogs once considered lowly have moved up the totem pole. Most dogs that live in the streets have owners, are fed and have very good lives without leashes. Its a different culture that has slowly started to embrace a little bit of the west ( spay and neutering clinics) but still allowing the dogs to remain dogs that live and breathe in packs. Be mindful of the animals in the streets and as with anything be cautious and deliberate. You will make friends. The monkeys in Rishikesh and Varanasi are to be avoided. Do not look them in the eye for they view it as a threat and by no means carry food in your hands. They will steal it!
WHAT ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY?
The air quality will be comparable to Los Angeles, lest the burning ghats in Varanasi. Face masks are recommended there.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?
That is entirely up to you! You just have to gauge how much you want to spend on extras!
HOW DO I GET THE LOCAL CURRENCY?
You can either exchange cash in India or use a local ATM (which we prefer). Just make sure you call your bank and credit card company to let them know you’ll be traveling in India, so they don’t put a hold on your card when they see it being used halfway across the world. We recommend using the AIRPORT ATM upon arrival (just after customs, before you leave the airport).
WHAT KIND OF HOTELS WILL WE BE STAYING AT?
Having been to India many times I know how crazy the sounds, smells and sights can be when you arrive. I have specifically chosen hotels to put you at ease. You will land in familiar creature comforts, wifi, room service, and sheets with a high thread count, 5 star. All hotels will feel familiar. Our final stop in Rishikesh presents the simplest in accommodations.
WILL I BE ABLE TO CHARGE MY ELECTRONICS (PHONE, IPAD, ETC)?
Yes, just be sure to bring along a 2-pin European style converter. Better yet, grab a Universal Travel Adaptor that can go with you anywhere in the world!
HOW CAN MY FAMILY GET AHOLD OF ME IN AN EMERGENCY?
Yes. All hotels we are staying at have phone service and wifi.
DO YOU RECOMMEND A PHONE SERVICE?
T-Mobile works in India. If you are with another provider I suggest finding out what is the best option for you. Our experience is that most International calling plans are expensive and that the best plan of action is wifi via Whatsapp, Skype and Facebook.
AFTER ALL THIS, WHY INDIA?
There is nothing like her. She is modern, traditional, old, vexing, joyful, and deep. You will leave her with a new perspective and a greater understanding of yourself and others. You will forever be changed.
P.s I absolutely loved this article about things people wished they’d known before traveling to India. Check it out.