Sunday, February 2nd

• With Leli and Elizabeth: we start the day with a Vinyasa Krama Yoga practice on the banks of the Ganges. This dynamic practice, combining movement and breath, will help us wake up the body and synchronize with the morning energy. As we flow through the poses, the soothing sound of the Ganges will accompany us, making the experience even more magical and immersive. After the Vinyasa session, we will devote ourselves to Pranayama, the practice of breath control. These breathing exercises will help us center ourselves, calm the mind, and prepare for the day.
• We will spend the morning and part of the afternoon exploring the ghats of Varanasi, starting with the central ones—including the Manikarnika cremation ghat, where bodies are burned on large wood pyres by the Ganges—and then moving on to the northern ghats, less known and less explored by travelers but equally fascinating and full of secrets to discover. Here we will see, among other things, the temples of Lakshminarayan, Tripura Sundari, and Bindu Madhav, Alamgir Mosque, and some of the solar deities (Aditya) that form, in Varanasi’s sacred geography, a complex solar diagram, the mysterious origin and functioning of which we will explain to you.
• Lunch will be in this area, where street food is mainly found. We will also try the lassi from the famous Blue Lassi Shop (lassi is a type of sweet yogurt garnished with fresh and dried fruits) and the typical sweets of Varanasi.
• With Leli and Elizabeth: in the evening, we will gather for a meditation session focused on the importance of letting go. As the sun sets, we will immerse ourselves in a meditative practice that will help us relax and connect with the energy of the place. This meditation is a unique opportunity to reflect on the day, release tension, and find inner peace.

Monday, February 3rd

• In the morning, we will visit the small flower market where garlands are purchased to offer to the Gods.
• On foot, we will continue towards the far north of the old city, where we will visit some of the most beautiful and less frequented alleys and temples of Varanasi, including Adi Keshav Ghat, located in the oldest part of the city; Kal Bhairav, the most terrifying form of Shiva; the Panchkroshi Mandir, a temple that summarizes and contains all 108 sacred places arranged along the boundaries of the sacred city.
• Return to the hotel after lunch.
• With Leli and Elizabeth: in this lesson, we will explore the importance of breath in both yoga and dance. We will start with an in-depth discussion on how breath control can enhance our practice, helping to calm the mind, increase concentration, and strengthen the connection between mind and body. We will then put what we have learned into practice with yoga and dance exercises focused on breath. We will learn how to integrate breath with movement, creating a harmonious synergy that enhances the benefits of both disciplines. This session will allow us to directly experience the power of breath and deepen our awareness and presence in the moment.
• In the late afternoon, if you wish, we will accompany you on a shopping tour, visiting traditional perfume shops (ittar), Indology bookshops, and hand-carved woodcraft shops.

Wednesday, February 5th

• Arrival in Jaipur in the late morning. Transfer to the hotel and lunch.
• In the afternoon, after a moment of rest, we will visit the Amber Fort, the most spectacular and grandiose of the city, perched on the hills north of the center.
• Before dinner, you will have free time to explore Jaipur’s Pink City, a vast open-air market where each block is reserved for specific products such as jewelry, gems, textiles, etc. This area is the artistic and commercial heart of the city, full of havelis (traditional mansions of northern India), temples, and artisan shops.
• With Leli and Elizabeth: after dinner, we will explore the art of storytelling through mudras (hand gestures) and facial expressions. We will discover how these fundamental elements of Indian dance are used to narrate stories and convey emotions. Through practical exercises, we will learn to express feelings and tell stories in an engaging and authentic way.

Thursday, February 6th

• With Leli and Elizabeth: we start the day with a dance technique lesson, focusing on details and movements that will enhance our expressiveness and precision.
• This morning, we will participate in a block print workshop at a factory just outside Jaipur. Block printing is an ancient textile printing and dyeing technique typical of Rajasthan. The art of block printing particularly lies in the hands of the Chhipa caste artisans, who skillfully carve the wooden blocks used for printing the fabric. Each of us will have a white cotton shopping bag created, which we will enjoy printing using the blocks and colors provided.
• After the workshop, we’ll visit a fabric store, where we can stay as long as we like! Depending on requests and the supplier’s availability, there will be an opportunity to choose one of the dresses displayed in the store’s showroom and have it customized with the fabrics we select on-site.

Saturday, February 8th

• With Leli and Elizabeth: morning Indian Fusion dance lesson; you will learn combinations that blend the tradition of classical Indian dances with modern influences.
• Around sunset, we’ll head to the camp of the Kalbelia tribe, snake charmers originally from the Thar Desert, where we’ll spend the evening with Moira, a woman from the tribe who will teach us the steps of their traditional dance. After dinner – which will be served in the camp and eaten sitting on the ground – Moira will perform a Kalbelia dance show, whose movements are inspired by those of a snake. The dance will be accompanied by their typical instruments, including the poongi, the snake charmer’s flute.

Sunday, February 9th

• With Leli and Elizabeth: the final lesson of the tour will be dedicated to a review of yoga and dance, a moment to consolidate everything we have learned and experienced together. After yoga, we will go over the dance techniques learned during the tour. This session will also be an opportunity to share experiences and feelings, strengthen the bonds created, and celebrate the progress made.
• In the afternoon, as an extra and optional activity, you can choose between: a Bollywood dance lesson with a local teacher; an Indian cooking class; or a percussion (nagara) lesson by the sacred lake.
• At sunset, on the banks of the holy Pushkar lake, we will learn how to use the Nagara, one of the most ancient Indian drums, with a master of the Solanki family. 

Tuesday, February 11th

• After our last breakfast together, we’ll take care of your transfer to the airport.
• Alternatively, if you opt for the one-day extension in Delhi, today we will take you on an exploration of Shahjahanabad, the old city of Delhi, through its alleys, sacred sites, and crowded bazaars. In particular, we’ll show (and tell) you about the oldest Jain temple in the city, the bird hospital, the Sikh gurudwara (temple), the semi-unknown tomb of Razia Sultana, the only female ruler of Indian Islam, and the mausoleum of a mysterious 12th-century Sufi saint.
• Dinner in Paharganj, the historic backpacker ghetto and open-air bazaar.

Wednesday, February 12th

• Breakfast together. Then, we’ll take care of your transfer to the airport.