Our beautiful group with DJ, best CEO ever.

Nicole is so happy to report that our first Namaste India in November 2019 was a resounding success and 2020 is in the planning 🙂 

You can read the testimonials and comments from the first Namaste India group in green to hear first hand about this unique experience. 

The group, with Nicole as the yoga teacher/leader and our Chief Experience Officer (CEO) extraordinaire (Dhananjay (DJ) Singh), explored major spiritual places in Northern India. We experienced varied and unique accommodation -from Ashram to 4 star and busy city setting to Himalayan quietness not to mention a 15th century fort converted into a heritage hotel.  DJ fully supported Nicole with her Namaste India vision and she credits him with the success it was. 

‘Namaste India’ is a wellness tour…  an authentic Indian immersion interspersed with joyful yoga, spiritual sightseeing, great food and lots of love and fun, deepening connections with self, others and India.

DJ commenced the tour with his wise words to ……

‘Give India time’ and 

‘India will teach you patience!’

and so we gave India time and she did teach us patience and we were so rewarded and blessed by the experience.

Namaste India Testimonials

‘What was not to love on our Namaste India tour….yoga as the sun rises over Rishikesh and Ma Ganga….delightful Dharamshala……spiritual exploration……totally spoilt by the whole experience. Pure gratitude Nicole and DJ for a job well done.’ Elaine

‘Pretty much everything was a highlight for me. The tour exceeded my expectations.’  Sue W

‘Highlights for me were the temple visits, the company of the other ladies, and the organisation by DJ and Nicole.’ Melissa 

‘Everyday there were highlights, but in particular I loved Dharamsala, Amritsar and the temple complex in Delhi. Our guide DJ was a highlight everyday.’ Deb

‘The tour is a keeper’ Suzy (Facebook post)

‘Highlights were the variety of yoga teachers and the exceptional tour guide.’  Sally 

We started in Delhi where highlights included early morning yoga in the Lodi Gardens and delicious food at ‘Kitchen with a Cause’.

‘Kitchen with a Cause was delicious food on both the first day in Delhi and a great place to celebrate our last meal together.’  Suzy

‘Morning yoga in the park was so beautiful. Lovely teacher.’ Mary Anne

‘Morning yoga in the Lodi Gardens was wonderful’ Elaine 

We departed Delhi for Rishikesh for our 3 night Ashram experience. Our Ashram was located right on the Ganges and was the host for the evening Aarti ceremony which attracts hundreds each night and is part of a ritual of showing gratitude to Mother Ganga and all she provides. The Aarti ceremony was mesmerising and humbling as we set our intentions and gave personal thanks to the Ganges for her life sustaining qualities.

‘The highlight for me being yoga by Ma Ganga, in spite of the wind!’ Sue

‘yoga beside Ma Ganga was truly memorable’ Elaine

‘Rishikesh was a lovely experience. The Ashram accommodation was modest, but I was expecting that it would be……..there was so much more to focus on other than the accommodation, all of which was wonderful’ Sue

‘The town of Rishikesh was spectacular,  the Aarti ceremony and shopping were fantastic.’  Melissa

‘I loved sleeping beside the Ganges!’ Sally

‘Aarti light festival was wonderful. Ayurvedic treatments were fun. And I enjoyed wandering in the TM ‘Beatles’ ashram too.’ Mary Anne

We took time to visit Chaurasi Kutia (The Beatles Ashram). It was  a short walk along the Ganges to this very quiet area of Rishikesh which offered wonderful views from up high and, although abandoned and deteriorated , it retained a peaceful atmosphere and was really quite beautiful. 

‘Thoroughly enjoyed Chaurasi Kutiya and the Aarti ceremony was suitably memorable.’ Elaine

‘surprised how much I liked the ‘Beatles ashram’  Sally

After the Ashram it was to the delights of the accomodation, food and surrounding gardens at Fort Nalagarh Resort. 

‘Fort Nalagarh Resort was  wonderful, steeped in history and a delight at every corner.’ Deb

‘Fort Nalagarh Resort – an experience of being ministered to with exotic beauty in all the nooks and crannies of this amazing old Fort . Loved it. A highlight.’ Mary Anne

‘….an opulent Moghul experience’  Elaine

‘I really enjoyed the roof top yoga.’ Sue

‘Fort Nalagarh was amazing! Yoga on the rooftop was the best and the teacher was lovely.’ Sally 

‘Fort Nalagarh was stunning, intriguing, and a great place to rest.’ Melissa

Reviews and testimonials were unanimous in their praise of the high quality service DJ provided…..

‘I do believe that DJ took this tour from great to exceptional. 

………..his dedication to duty, wealth of knowledge …….and personal attention to all, was fantastic. I learned so much on this tour about India, and even more from observing his sincere and humble service. What a privilege to have had this wonderful human being, guide us through this beautiful country.’  Sue

‘I always felt safe with our driver’  Deb

‘Our driver was excellent.’ Mary Anne

‘Love a good road trip, Sanjeev and Naveen helped make it so.’ Elaine

‘DJ is an exceptional young man who made our trip for us. He was always available and cared for each of us according to our needs….. I feel somewhat spoiled and fear no tour guide in the future will ever be good enough for me :-)’  Sally 

‘DJ was a considerate, knowledgeable and generous guide, who went out of his way to ensure all members of our group were supported and catered for as best he could. Dj made this trip an unforgettable experience, and has set the bar so high I doubt any future travel guides will meet his standard!’ Deb

‘DJ did an outstanding job, to the point that I don’t believe it would be possible for another host to come close to the quality of service he provided.’ Melissa

‘DJ was a stand out. His interpersonal skills made each person feel very special, his organisational care and attention to detail were remarkable’ Mary Anne

‘The knowledge of history, religion, society & politics of our guide DJ was impressive. But it was his kindness, support & attention to detail that ensured my experience remained a personal one.’ Suzy

‘Truly the best tour guide ever in the entire world, bar none. DJ’s conscientious and caring presence made the trip a pure delight.’ Elaine

Nicole’s intention was to create a loving, fun and safe space during the  tour discovering, with the group, how yogic practices can nurture and strengthen us while travelling through unique and culturally diverse Northern India. This was possible due to the incredible cooperation and insight that DJ demonstrated in supporting Nicole and the group. 

‘Thanks to Nicole who worked endlessly and with great enthusiasm and joy to make this trip such a success.’ Deb

‘Nicole, thank you for being a caring and compassionate host in India. I  highly recommend this trip’ Melissa 

‘Thank you Nicole for your loving nurturing retreat, it has been an amazing experience never ever to be forgotten’ Elaine

Dear Nicole thank you so much for your kindness and support during this special trip to India’  Suzy 

‘Thank you Nicole  for providing the opportunity to visit this beautiful country with such care and consideration. It has been wonderful.’ Sue

‘Dear Nicole thank you for your warmth, energy and nurturing spirit. Blessed to have been part of your group’  Mary Anne

‘Nicole thank you for your wise guidance, wonderful yoga, your humour and care for us all’   Jill

‘Nicole , thank you so much for this incredible experience’ Pam

‘I loved that Nicole sought to keep the movement up on the bus.’ Deb

‘Nicole’s bus yoga helped to make the journeys more enjoyable.’ Sue

‘The bus itself was comfortable, and we had plenty of space.’ Melissa

‘The in-bus stretches were a fabulous idea Nicole, thank you!’ Mary Anne

Dharamshala was a favourite with us all we loved the Tibetan people and the different feel this Himalayan village had. Our hotel there was also voted as having the best and friendliest staff of the trip. They went above and beyond and sent us off with a picnic for the bus so we had sustenance for the trip to Amritsar.

‘Specific highlights for me included ………. the snow capped Himalayan mountains and the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan buddhist hub in Dharamshala’  Mary Anne

‘Breathtaking scenery combined with great food experiences plus valuable & thought provoking spiritual insights made this part of the trip (Dharamshala) my favourite.’ Suzy

‘The food and staff at Spring Valley Resort were excellent…….the snow capped Himalayas were stunning. The art/craft shopping and ability to provide support for Tibetan buddhist community was very special.’         Mary Anne

‘Staff and food was great’  Melissa

‘I liked being slightly out of town, ……loved being up in the mountains.’  Deb

A visit to the Dalai Lama Temple was a special part of the trip as well as the spiritual aspects many of us supported the training centre for textile and tailored items (we shopped!). 

Taking in the Tibetan Museum was harrowing but an essential part of honouring and understanding the exiled Tibetans and their Dalai Lama. 

‘I felt my heart burst in Tsuglagkhang Temple and so special to see the Tibetan culture and craft being preserved at Norbulingka Institute.’  Elaine

A visit to the Norbulingka Institute demonstrated how dedicated the Tibetans in exile were to restoring and teaching ancient arts and crafts, it was heart warming and beautiful to visit this oasis of cultural preservation.

‘The art/craft shopping and ability to provide support for Tibetan buddhist community was very special.’ Mary Anne

‘I loved Daramshala…..loved the activities and the free time and the balance between two. The staff at the hotel were so friendly and helpful. Probable best of the tour. And being close to the Himalaya’s was a high point for me.’ Sally

‘Dharamshala was wonderful. This is a location where I would really like to see at least an extra day included. There was so much about Dharamshala to love, not least the people’  Sue

Sadly we departed Dharamshala but incredible sights awaited us in Amritsar. We experienced the Wagah Border ceremony where pomp and ceremony  reigned as Pakistani and Indians sought to be the loudest and most spectacular at the border closing ceremony!

‘I am glad we experienced the Wagah ceremony, like an India Pakistan cricket match, even though not entirely in keeping with the spiritual/yoga theme of the tour!’  Elaine

‘The Pakistan border ceremony was good fun.’ Mary Anne

The flourishing city of Amritsar meaning “the pool of nectar”,  where Sikh pilgrims, come to bathe at the Golden Temple did not disappoint. We couldn’t get enough of this beautiful place.

‘Tuk tuk ride to & from Golden Temple was the most fun of all the transport experiences. LOL‘   Suzy

                  There is no doubt this is the Golden Temple

The Golden Temple by night and also by day was a highlight. Worth going twice! There’s something magnificent about the space and the experience of this temple.’  Mary Anne

‘Loved the Golden Temple night visit’ Elaine

‘Loved visiting the Golden temple twice, to experience the different feels of this holy place.’  Deb

And then there was yoga every day, bliss, with a variety of teaching styles. 

‘I enjoyed learning all the different teaching styles, especially from teachers of the birthplace of yoga.’ Melissa

‘I loved the experience of different yoga teachers. All of them were great. The yoga was an absolute highlight of the trip.’  Mary Anne

‘experienced teachers made the sessions interesting especially being exposed to new poses’  Suzy

‘Loved the locations, and the variety and being exposed to different approaches to yoga, and variations on the asanas……the variety of yoga teachers was an unexpected delight.’  Deb

FINALLY A BIG THANK YOU TO NICOLLE WHITTAKER 

Of course non of this would have been possible without the expertise and experience of Nicolle Whittaker, our amazing ITravel Agent. Much gratitude and appreciation was expressed by the group to Nicolle for all her planning, care and attention to detail prior to Namaste India.

Nicolle worked tirelessly with Nicole to create the unique Namaste India experience for which Nicole is very grateful. 

‘Many thanks Nicolle for all your work to get us here!!’                                 Mary Anne   (Facebook post)

‘A big thank you to Nicolle’   Suzy (Facebook post)

‘Thank you Nicolle for looking after us with all the travel arrangements’    Pam (Facebook post)

‘You’ve been amazing Nicolle thank you so much’  Jill (Facebook post)

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