LIVING YOGA: NORTH INDIA HOLI RETREAT
10-16 March 2025 (Mon-Sun)
Of all the places in the world I host retreats in, no country fascinates and excites me the way India does. Navigating her chaotic beauty has taught me more about the practice of Yoga than what can possibly be learned on the mat. Amidst the kaleidoscope of sights, scents and colours are all lessons — in patience, equanimity and surrender. In other words, India is Living Yoga in its very essence. And within India, there is one place I find myself returning to again, and again... Andretta. Home to an amazing man, Denis Harap, and a community of wonderful people who have, over time, become my friends.
Join us for our fourth(!) Living Yoga retreat to the charming artists' village of Andretta, nestled in Himachal Pradesh and overlooking the majestic Himalayan Dhauladhar ranges. For decades, artists, writers and poets have been drawn to Andretta to contemplate the deeper aspects of life, and that is exactly what we will do in the company of like-minded friends. Our trip also coincides with the festival of colours, Holi, a celebration to herald spring and and the triumph of good over evil. We will join the village in playing Holi (make merry, throw coloured powder at one another) in a fun and safe way.
Itinerary
Our journey begins in Amritsar. On the morning of our arrival, we will freshen up at our city hotel, the luxurious Taj Swarna, and then head out for a guided heritage walk. Amritsar has a 400-year history and is the second largest city in Punjab, and you will notice differences in religion and ways of life as we meander through the bylanes, especially when we take a tour of the Golden Temple, believed to be one of the holiest temples in the Sikh faith. Highlights include partaking in a communal meal in the langar, and visiting the kitchen where volunteers tirelessly prepare meals for all pilgrims. We will relax in the afternoon after checking in. Nap, relax with a chai, or have a swim. Dinner is free and easy, and at your own time and expense.
After breakfast the next morning, we will travel up to Andretta, nestled up in Himachal Pradesh. The journey takes us through winding mountain roads and will take about 6 hours or more, if we decide to take a longer rest stop. After checking into the property, we will gather for our opening circle and practice, and then sit down to dinner.
We will keep our itinerary intentionally loose for the next few days in Andretta, so our bodies and nervous systems get time and space to regulate to a more easeful way of being. On one of the days, we will take a half-day trip to an ancient Shiva temple, which houses one of His 12 jyotirlingas in all of India, and if possible, a visit to Tenzin Palmo's nunnery (this can only be finalised at a later time when she has better idea of her schedule). On Holi (currently set for Friday, 14 March), we will join the village in their festivities. And also partake in a special thali (Himachali dham) for a celebratory lunch.
Apart from that, our days will be bookended by morning and evening practice, and there will be plenty of downtime to soak in the ethereal beauty of mild, sunlit spring days and cosy nights by the fire. Hide out in the library for an afternoon of reading, spend some meditative time at the wheel in a nearby pottery studio, or simply nurse a cup of tea on the patio with new friends, as you take in the tireless sight of gorgeous snow-capped mountains.
We will travel back to Amritsar after breakfast on Sat 15 March, and spend a relaxed evening in the city. The retreat ends after a final group dinner on Sat night. Take your time with breakfast and your morning routine on Sun 16 March, and be prepared to check out by 7:45am to head to the airport. The recommended flight to Singapore is scheduled to leave at 10:30am, and should land by 7:15pm.
Retreat fee* (early bird till 3 Oct 2024)
Early bird: S$2,200 twin-share // S$2,800 single
Thereafter: S$2,400 twin-share // S$3,000 single
Past Andretta retreat participants get an additional S$100 off :)
*I always strive to keep my retreats affordable. Please consider that the fee above includes everything (food, transport, group activities, except for one dinner) and two nights' stay at the five-star Taj Swarna. Comfort is imperative and I wish for you to experience the signature Taj hospitality.
Inclusions
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All meals except dinner on 10 March
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Twice-daily Yoga practice in Andretta (there will be no Yoga practices in Amritsar)
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All transport and transfers within Amritsar and Andretta for group travel
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Site-visit fees to all the places we travel to as a group
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All activities we partake in as a group
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Airport pickup and drop off to and fro Amritsar if you book the recommended flights
Exclusions
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Air tickets
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Visa fees
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Compulsory travel insurance
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Expenses incurred should you fall ill in India. Please make sure your travel insurance adequately covers this.
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Any necessary Covid or medical tests, if border regulations require them then
- Dining expenses on 10 March Monday
- All other personal expenses eg. laundry
Recommended flights
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Mon 10 March 2025 Scoot Airlines: departs Singapore 05:30 hrs, arrives Amritsar 09:05 hrs local time
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Sun 16 March 2025 Scoot Airlines: departs Amritsar 10:30 hrs, arrives Singapore 19:15 hrs
For those flying on the recommended flights, transport will be arranged for pickup/drop off from and to Amritsar airport. If you are travelling beforehand, please meet us at Taj Swarna Amritsar at 10:30am on Monday 10 March.
Booking and cancellation policy
The retreat will go on so long as international travel regulations allow quarantine-free travel between India and Singapore. Please stay updated with the latest information on the ICA website here.
Please email Leigh to register. A non-refundable S$500 deposit will be required to secure your spot. Your space is not confirmed until I confirm that I have received your deposit. The remaining fee is to be paid in full by Fri, 20 December 2024.
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Cancellations communicated before Fri 10 Jan 2025 will receive a 40% refund.
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Cancellations communicated before Mon 10 Feb 2025 will receive a 25% refund.
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No refunds will be made from Mon 10 Feb 2025.
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To avoid paying the cancellation surcharge, you can get someone else to take your place on the retreat.
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The policy above will remain in place regardless of your reason for cancellation, including spikes in global health risks and acts beyond our control. This is a risk you assume upon registration. Please purchase adequate travel insurance upon confirmation of your participation on the retreat.