India: Love in Action in Bodhgaya & Holi Celebration in Jaipur

February 28 – March 10, 2018

Experience a ‘Voluntour’ with Kaleidoscope Child Foundtation in Bodhgaya and celebrate the Holi Festival!

To embrace the soul of India is to embrace her unpredictability. India is an unmatched land of inspiration and frazzling journeying where you will encounter every emotion.

But, it is that wide swath of experience that makes it a cultural wonderment with sacred spirituality, devotional celebrations, and a moment by moment all-sensory adventure.

One would have to devote several lifetimes to see it all. Undeniably, having been there will expand your worldview forever.

Join David Ault on an unprecedented journey of site, sound, taste and majestic mystery as we traverse the land many call the cradle of civilization, where unity in diversity continues breathing life into the paradox of modern and ancient cultures.

If you want to extend your time, you have an opportunity to travel to other parts of India or the region which will be happy to customize for you.

Highlights of Our Unforgettable Journey…

  • Celebrate the Holi, India’s most colorful festival, at the Diggi Palace in Jaipur
  • Loose yourself in the grandeur of the Amber fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs
  • During your Love in Action program, work daily with two brand new educational initiatives begun by the Kaleidoscope Child Foundation.
  • Visit the famous Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree
  • Take a pre-dawn excursion to the Prgahbodhi Cave where Siddhartha (Buddha) sat in meditation for 7 years
  • Optional extensions to other parts of India or countries in the region

Our Comfortable Accommodations

I am ready to go!

What’s Included

  • Accommodations for 10 nights in comfortable hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • Welcome & Farewell dinner
  • Special guided tours with our local experts
  • Working daily with two brand new educational initiatives begun by Kaleidoscope Child Foundation in Bodhgaya
  • All entrance fees of sites included in the itinerary
  • Private transfers between airports and hotels
  • Private transportation in air conditioned coach for the duration of your trip
  • Domestic flights from Jaipur to Gaya via Delhi & Gaya to Delhi
  • Drinking water in the coach throughout each day
  • Tips for drivers & guides

What’s Not Included

  • Additional food not included in the itinerary
  • International flights from your hometown to & from India
  • Visa fees (please check if you qualify for “Visa on Arrival”)
  • Gratuities for the bellboys and hotel maids (we recommend $1.00 USD per night)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Optional activities
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Other non-included items would include souvenir shopping, personal phone calls, laundry, alcoholic and bottled beverages.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Wed February 28th - Arrive in JAIPUR, INDIA

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Jaipur Airport, you are greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel where our representative helps you to check in and briefs you about your itinerary. Have some free time on your own to adjust to the new time zone.

Jaipur was established by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743) and painted pink by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. The Royal heritage of Jaipur lives in its architecture and culture. The city in pink is symbolic of the hospitality that reigned in the Rajput culture. Overnight at hotel

Day 2 – Thu March 1st - JAIPUR

After our first breakfast together, we’ll spend the day exploring the beautiful city of Jaipur. This morning we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake and its sprawling crenelated walls lattice the surrounding hills.

Afterwards we will visit the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens.

In the afternoon we’ll continue to our tour by visitingthe City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The centre of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine vies over the gardens and the city. The palace lies in the heart of the city and occupies the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and animals that lived in jungles which surrounded the wall that time.

Next, we visit the Solar Observatory – an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions sill to this date.

In the late afternoon we’ll be taken back to our hotel.

Day 3 – Fri March 2nd - JAIPUR

Today you are in for quite a treat as you will celebrate India’s most important colorful festival, the “HOLI”!

With traditional drums and folk dancers, shimmering mounds of organic colour, tubs of cool water, and classic preparations of sweets, eats, and local brews, Holi at the resplendent Diggi Palace, is literally an affair to remember!

So go on, wear your immaculate whites and join in the festivities at the Diggi Palace, to play Holi… Experience pure joy as you watch the first burst of color transform your clothes into a multihued canvas, feel the shower of petals, and the smear of colored powder, as you soak in the superbly intimate, old-worldly surroundings and make new friends…join in the song and dance, taste fabulous foods, and savour every unforgettable moment of your special time here.

AT HOME WITH A ROYAL FAMILY, built in the 1860s, the Diggi Palace stands amidst its havelis (grand old mansions), structures, and gardens, on acres of land, in the heart of Jaipur. Originally, the ancestral haveli of the Thakurs (land owning noblemen) of Diggi, the Palace was also the bagh (garden retreat) of the Diggi family, and soon became the permanent residence of the erstwhile rulers.

Guests arriving at the Diggi Palace will receive a special Welcome with the chung, a traditional music instrument played especially during Holi and are served non-alcoholic welcome drink. You will then be escorted to the exclusive Venue for the Holi celebrations. At the venue, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and interact with the hosts and other guests, enjoying drinks and snacks.

Now it’s time to play Holi in the lawns outside! You can play and enjoy Holi with dry ‘Gulal’ colors, made from an organic cornflower base – the Venue will be stocked with thalis (platters) of Gulal, so there’s plenty for all! You will experience and enjoy live cultural performances, and are keenly encouraged to participate. We will close the ceremony with a sumptuous Buffet Lunch.

After such a happy and exciting day, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for some well deserved rest and free time.

Day 4 – Sat March 3rd - JAIPUR to BODHGAYA

After a nourishing breakfast with everyone, you’ll be taken to the airport to board your flight to your next destination, Bodhgaya.

We will arrive in the sacred, holy pilgrimage town of Bodhgaya, known for the birthplace of Buddhism. It is here where people worldwide flock to see the famous location of the Bodhi Tree, where Siddhartha gained enlightenment and transformed into Buddha.

We will check into our hotel and gently acclimate to our beginning service opportunities.

Day 5 – 9: March 4th - 8th Bodhgaya, Love in Action

In Bodhgaya, we will be working daily with two brand new educational initiatives begun by Kaleidoscope Child Foundation. One is an after school program located directly in Bodhgaya where children come for supplemental education. The other location is approximately 14 kilometers in a rural poor village where KCF is establishing a full time presence for the children of this area. It is here where we will spend a great deal of time in establishing relationships with the families, helping clean and organize the classroom space, and offer assistance to both families and children with regards to fresh water, and other basic essentials.

We will also have time to explore the area – visit the famous Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, take a pre-dawn excursion to the Pragbodhi Cave where Siddhartha (Buddha) had sat in meditation for 7 years. All, very powerful experiences.

Note that this trip requires a high level of fortitude and spirit. The service work will bring you face to face with some of the worlds most extreme poverty and the conditions can be startling to our western sensibility.

It is your opportunity to drop deeply into service mentality and experience the oneness of humanity in profound and unpredictable ways.

Day 10 – Thu March 8th Bodhgaya - Delhi

In time for your flight to Delhi, private transfer to the Gaya Airport.

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met and taken to your hotel for your last night in India before your flight home.

Day 11 March 10th Depart DELHI

Depending on your flight schedule, private transfer to the Delhi Indira Ghandi International Airport to board your homeward bound flight.

About the Kaleidoscope Child Foundation and your Service in Bodhgaya

The Kaleidoscope Child Foundation is a stateside non-profit that funds free education initiatives along with fresh water, hygiene instruction and life skills training programs to the rural poor in developing countries.

Beginning his efforts in Cambodia 14 years ago, Kaleidoscope has now built and nurtured two thriving school campuses in the Siem Reap area that focus on providing fresh water to the surrounding villages, free high-quality education to nearly 500 children annually along with IT tech training, sewing instruction and a burgeoning creative arts program.

KCF has now begun to take this model and begun preliminary work to replicate these offerings to the children on the outskirts of Bodhgaya, India and Panajachel, Guatemala.

In Bodhgaya, a room was rented in early 2017 that now hosts 70 children every Monday through Saturday who come to learn Hindi, English, and to gain respite from the crushing poverty that is a mainstay of their lives.

Between now and the time we arrive in March of 2018, we will have a clearer, defined outline of what our specific work will look like. Our aim is to find ways to bring fresh water options to the area, work extensively with the children as well as their families and spend quality time in the crowded classroom to energize their enthusiasm for learning.

For more information on Kaleidoscope Child Foundation, visit http://www.kaleidoscopechildfoundation.org

This looks amazing!!

Trip Leader & Travel Support

David Ault, has been involved for over 30 years, in the human potential movement as an unwavering crusader for spiritual evolution, global literacy and social justice. Whether through teaching, coaching, facilitation or musical artistry, David’s singular intention has always been in bridging our collective forgetfulness into our great collective reawakening.

As an award winning author, spiritual teacher, minister, leadership coach and global education advocate, he loves leading through example and abides by the motto that people would rather see a sermon than hear one.

Through his stateside non-profit, Kaleidoscope Child Foundation, David has established thriving schools (NGO’s) that provide free education, medical/hygiene assistance, agricultural and life skills training in Siem Reap, Cambodia as well as expanding free education opportunities in Bodhgaya, India and Panajachel, Guatemala.

He regularly takes groups on sacred site journeys and continuously marvels at the wisdom gained through cultural immersion. As a respected teacher, writer and columnist, David is the author of the bestseller, Where Regret Cannot Find Me and the multi-award winning, The Grass Is Greener Right Here.

Ales Struna’s life path has literally taken him all around the world.

He’s been passionate about travel since he has taken his first plane ride at the age of just 7 years, traveling from Germany to Slovenia to spend the summer with his grandmother.

Now that he has his own son, one of their favorite things to do is travel the world together and Ales has been to over 45 countries.

While he won’t be joining you on this fabulous journey to India, he has been to this amazing country and spend an extensive amount of time there. He will be able to assist you, should you like to arrive a few days early or extend your time in India.

Do contact him if you need help with your flight arrangement, he’ll make sure to find you the best airfare, flight connections and coordinate your trip so that you have a smooth experience.

If you are making your own flight arrangements, please confirm the details with Ales first before purchasing your tickets as flights to India often operate late at night or in the early hours of the morning and we want to make sure that everyone is well taken care of.

Registration

The 2018 trip cost for: “India: Love in Action in Bodhgaya & Holi Celebration in Jaipur” is:
$ 2,997 based on double occupancy
Single occupancy supplement: $ 995

A non-refundable $750 USD deposit is required to hold your place as soon as possible.

Please note your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel before 60 days prior to start date, we will refund 50% unless you find a replacement, in which case your deposit will be forfeited. No refunds if you cancel later than 30 days prior to tour start date. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum, but your funds are fully refundable if this occurs. Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended when making travel plans. You can use our suggested Travel Guard Insurance online and choose from several policy options.

Place your deposit NOW with our secure online store (your deposit holds your spot).

When you hit the blue Add to Cart button, your selection will go immediately into the shopping cart. When you are finished, then click the “Checkout Now” button.

If you don’t wish to register online or are having issues, call 1-866-866-5566 or email us.

If you’ve found this trip after the registration date – no worries! Give us a call and we’ll do our best to get you on the trip.

If you prefer not to make payments online, please give us a ring at 1 866-866-5566. We look forward to sharing this amazing adventure with you!

Make a Payment

Voluntour with Kaleidoscope Child Foundation & Holi Celebration in Jaipur

Deposit

$750Add to cart

Single Occ. Supplement

$995Add to cart

Balance After Deposit

$2,247Add to cart

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