top of page

A unique and transformative Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat for Deaf people situated in the majestic, healing mountains of North India & the Sikh capital of the world, Amritsar. 

IMG_5058.jpg

A Spiritual Adventure 2024 for Deaf People
Himalayas & Amritsar, India 10-17th October 24

pexels-darshak-pandya-574313.jpg

About the retreat

After the epic Spiritual Adventure for Deaf people finally happened in 2023 (it was originally scheduled for 2020), next we will revisit the Himalayas and also take in the magical Sikh capital of the world, Amritsar, in this journey of a lifetime. The contrast between the states of Himachal Pradesh (Dharamshala) & Punjab (Amritsar) will make you feel truly alive, and the buzz and sacred activity of the Golden Temple will inspire you to be the best version of yourself, as it did for me in my early days of living in India, and every time I absorb that special energy.

Amritsar is a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab, 28 kilometers from the border with Pakistan. At the center of its walled old town, the gilded Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is the holiest gurdwara (religious complex) of the Sikh religion. .

I find the Sikh’s are the most generous people, providing meals for everyone, everyday, this selfless practice can inspire us & energise us.  Learn more about Sikhism  and their open-hearted philosophy along with other ways of living and being.

The aim of this retreat is for you to take a complete break from your day to day, and find connection within yourself through all you will practice & learn on this special retreat.

I will teach you and guide you to connect with your body, calm your mind and feel & feed your soul through;

  • Daily signed Yoga (the system of Self-realisation) practices to get you moving, release blocks and deepen your connection

  • Ayurveda (the ancient health system of India and the sister of Yoga) workshops

  • Classes & discussions inspired by Buddhism, Sikhism & Hinduism, Ayurveda & Yoga

  • Self-care practices to nourish & rejuvenate you (included), and access to nourishing Ayurvedic therapies if required (extra charge)

  • Meditations to empower you to continue a daily mediation practice when you return home

  • Gentle hikes in the mystical mountains of the Himalayas, where you can feel the magic of Spirituality permeated in all of nature

  • Walking tours to witness & experience local cultures and traditions, food & day to day life

  •  Visiting spiritual places and places of historical  significance to deepen your connection to spirituality

10-14th October; Dharamshala

Fly into stunning Dharamshala on the morning of 10th and travel directly to our retreat home to begin your Spiritual Adventure - Yoga retreat.

Dharamshala - the land of healing, nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Duladhar Mountain range, you will find yourself immersed in a land of beauty & culture. The Hillstation of McLeodganj, also known as Little Lhasa because of the huge population of Tibetan's living in exhile, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a delightful 15-20 minute walk from where we will stay. There you will find a harmonious blend of Tibetan Buddhist & Hindu culture. Here there are plenty of shops and restaurants for you to experience. With plenty of nature to explore, waterfalls, sacred  mountains, temples, monasteries you will experience the perfect recipe of spirituality & adventure. 

14-17th October; Amritsar - The Lake of the Holy Nectar

Amritsar is a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab, 28 kilometers from the border with Pakistan. At the center of its walled old town, the gilded Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is the holiest gurdwara (religious complex) of the Sikh religion. The sacred Amrit Sarovar tank (lake) is the center-piece, and the place where pilgrims come from all over the world to bathe, you will also have the opportunity to take a holy dip in the sacred waters, should you choose to do so. The Golden Temple is also home to the largest free kitchen in the world, known as langar, this kitchen provides free, wholesome, vegetarian meals for around 100,000 people every single day, 

Learn more about Sikhism  and their open-hearted philosophy along with other ways of living and being through our visits to the local Deaf School  and other places. Shop for handicrafts & embroidered fabrics in the cultural & economic center. Visit other temples, and the border of India & Pakistan for the elaborate sunset performance of the Indian & Pakistani border guards. And much more.

​

DHARAMSHALA

AMRITSAR

Where you will stay

10-14th October; Dharamshala - the resting place

For the first part of the retreat, I have chosen a gorgeous homestay & guest house that is very close to my heart, since this is where I stayed when my journey with Ayurveda began 7 years ago. Nestled in the foothills between Dharmkot Village and Bhagsu Nag Village, you will be surrounded by love & nature. The first time I stayed here with the Rehla family I felt immediately at home. The family are warm & welcoming, and I am sure you will feel as at home, everyone does! The spacious rooms have all you need for your stay, they are well appointed with comfy double bed, seating area & table, balcony or terrace, kettle, en-suite hot water bathroom, cosy blankets for those chilly mountain evenings & stunningly picturesque views. 

We will practice Yoga every morning in the spacious Yoga Shala, and then eat a delicious home breakfast in the open dining area among nature. Your days can be spent exploring, and there are some trips & orientation included, learning about Ayurveda (the science of life), meditating in the gardens or around the mountain, shopping for beautiful Tibetan & Indian trinkets, visiting local temples, taking a holy dip in the waterfall, experiencing a soothing Ayurvedic massage or other treatments or simply wandering around soaking up the amazing, healing energy of this wonderful place - which is my favourite thing to do in this heavenly place.

14-17th October; Amritsar - The Lake of the Holy Nectar

Our second part of the retreat will be in the Golden City of Amritsar, and we will stay in a comfortable, well located guesthouse or hotel. 

​

See room options and payment plan.

A Spiritual Adventure - what's included

  • 4 night’s accommodation in your own comfy room in Dharamshala

  • 3 night’s accommodation (shared or single) in Amritsar

  • 2 wholesome vegetarian meals per day

  • Daily Yoga Classes in Sign Language

  • Ayurvedic Workshops in Sign Language

  • Classes & discussions in Sign Language

  • Guided Meditations in Sign Language

  • Pranayama (Yogic breathing  practices to  invigorate, clear, or calm)

  • Visit to Bhagsu Nag (snake) Temple & Holy Pool

  • Visit to Bhagsu Nag Waterfall

  • Visit to Dalai Lama Temple

  • Hike to Naddi Village

  • Transport to Amritsar from Dharamshala – approx 4/5 hours

  • Sunset & sunrise trips to the magnificent Golden Temple (must visit at least once in a lifetime)

  • Sunset trip to the Wagh Border- the border between India and Pakistan to watch the closing of the border for the night (a must see)

  • Heritage walking tour in Amritsar with Indian Deaf Guide

  • Visit Local Deaf School

A Spiritual Adventure - what's not included

  • Flights*

  • Insurance – please ensure you are fit to travel, and can manage walking up and down steep inclines on proper paths (there will not be any heavy trekking/mountain climbing)

  • Airport transfers**

  • Extra meals and drinks

  • Ayurvedic therapies

Your travel arrangements

* Flights to Delhi from the UK are currently under £500 pounds for a direct return ticket. You'll fly to Delhi (recommend traveling on 9th October). You will need to book a separate ticket to Dharamshala on 10th October (£40). You will fly from Amritsar to Delhi 17th October (£30), you will need to book this ticket separately. Flights from Delhi to Dharamshala and Amritsar to Delhi are around 1 hour, 

​

**I can provide whatsapp numbers for recommended taxis in Dharamshala, and arrange airport transfers in Amritsar

What else to know

You will need a valid visa to come to India. This can be applied for online around a week before travel here; https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html and costs around £25 for 30 day visa, and £40 for 1 year. 

This is a very special opportunity and there are just 9 places available. This is to ensure that everyone receives what they need during the retreat. 

The cost of this retreat is £850-1,005 (please see room options). If you feel this is a retreat for you, then a non-refundable deposit of £250 or payment in full will secure your place. Payment plan is available. 

Book your place by completing the booking form and making your payment. 

 

BOOKING FORM 

​

bottom of page