This unique journey into the heart of India begins with a 6-day Acem Meditation retreat led by Acem’s founder, Dr. Are Holen, at the beautiful and comfortable Ratan Villas Resort in southern Rajasthan. Participants will experience long meditations, guidance groups, evening talks, social gatherings and delicious lacto-vegetarian food.

After the retreat, an eight-day tour takes us through Rajasthan’s iconic natural areas and historic sites. The tour moves at a relaxed pace, with at least two nights spent in each location. The hotels are of a high standard, and the lacto-vegetarian food is of the same high quality as during the retreat.

Ranthambore National Park has impressive wildlife such as tigers and leopards. The wetlands of Keoladeo host tens of thousands of wintering Siberian migratory birds. We will also visit the legendary Ranthambore Fort and the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri. An optional visit to the Taj Mahal is possible.

The journey continues in the Vande Bharat Express train to Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.  Here we will explore one of India’s most significant spiritual centers for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The ghats of the Ganges riverbanks offer an unforgettable blend of contrasting impressions and profound atmosphere. At nearby Sarnath, the Buddha for the first time shared his experiences publicly after enlightenment.