Discover India

March 17 – 30, 2027

A once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey into the spiritual heart of one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cultures.

Step beyond the ordinary and into a world where ancient traditions, sacred rituals, and living faiths shape every street, temple, and festival. This thoughtfully guided experience invites you to explore India’s faiths and cultures firsthand. Together we will walk bustling bazaars, witness sunrise rituals on the Ganges, enter centuries‑old temples and mosques, and experiencing the colourful festival of Holi up close.

Over 14 unforgettable days, you’ll travel with expert guides, explore iconic sites, witness sacred rituals, and experience the vibrant traditions of six major religions across India.

Discover India
March 17 - 30, 2027

India Menu

Why Travel with Encounter ?

For 25 years Encounter World Religions has helped thousands of people explore the world's religions experientially. This journey brings that same expertise to one of the world's most religiously diverse countries. Through pre-trip learning, local guides, sacred-site visits, and encounters with practitioners, participants gain insights into India's living religious traditions that are difficult to achieve through conventional travel alone.

What You'll Gain

India is one of the few places in the world where religion remains visible in nearly every aspect of daily life. Through sacred-site visits, conversations with local experts, encounters with practitioners, and careful preparation before departure, participants will gain a deeper understanding of India’s living religious traditions and the society they help shape.

What We Will See and Do:

It is difficult to say what is more astonishing in India – its amazing sites or to simply walk its streets. We will:

Join a sacred pilgrimmage in the soft light of dawn in India's holiest city
Explore the incredible street markets of old Delhi
Join in multiple aarti rituals, filled with fire and song
Savour langar meals from visually stunning Sikh gurdwaras
See the cremation grounds in Varanasi, the holiest place for Hindus to mark the end of one’s life
Visit a Punjabi village and try our hands at traditional crafts
Walk the grounds where history happened, from altering the landscape of a nation to birthing one of the world's great religions
Encounter Tibetan Buddhist monks at the Dalai Lama's temple amidst the foothills of the Himalayas
Travel the Ganges river at dawn on a boat to witness devotees performing the morning bathing ritual
Visit a Sufi saint’s tomb where we will hopefully witness a musical devotional performance
Experience Holi in the heart of Varanasi, where color, music, devotion, and celebration fill the streets — offering a rare opportunity to witness one of India’s most iconic festivals from within everyday life rather than from tourist sidelines.

This trip is planned for March 2027 so we can experience Holi, the most important Hindu festival after Diwali, and one of humanity's most incredible celebrations! We will join the festivities in Varanasi, often called India's holiest city. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one you will never forget.

What is Holi?

Holi is the spring festival that celebrates the spring harvest,

the end of winter and new beginnings. It celebrates Krishna’s love of Radha and is a festival of joy and love, celebrated by throwing coloured powder and water on everyone.

DOWNLOAD THE ITINERARY

Where We Will Go:

We will travel through five distinctive cities in North India, encountering sacred spaces, vibrant cities, and everyday religious life. The itinerary blends astonishing landmarks with carefully chosen local visits, offering rich opportunities for learning, insight, and meaningful experience.

Five Cities:

Delhi – India’s dynamic capital, where historic mosques, temples, and bustling markets meet modern life.
Varanasi – One of the world’s oldest cities, where daily rituals and pilgrimage unfold along the Ganges.
Agra – Home of the Taj Mahal and a showcase of Mughal architecture and history.
Amritsar – The spiritual centre of Sikhism, featuring the Golden Temple and its traditions of devotion and community.
Dharamsala – The home of the Dalai Lama and a window into Tibetan Buddhist culture in exile.

During our travels we will encounter six religions:

Hinduism – Visit temples and neighborhood shrines, observing daily rituals and seasonal festivals.
Islam – Explore historic mosques, remarkable architecture, and, when possible, Sufi devotional practices.
Sikhism – Experience the Golden Temple, share in langar meals, and learn about Sikh history and devotion.
Buddhism – Discover both the birthplace of Buddhism and contemporary Tibetan traditions in northern India.
Baháʼí Faith – Visit the Lotus Temple, a space dedicated to prayer, reflection, and unity.
Jainism – Step inside a Jain temple and learn about this ancient and distinctive spiritual tradition

Anchor 2

Photo by Jack Sparrow on Unsplash

Learning Opportunities

Learning Sessions: The learning starts before the trip begins! As part of this program you will have access to instructional sessions about the six religions we will encounter: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha’i, and Jainism. In addition, Brian will share a bit on India’s history and politics. These sessions will provide context and help prepare you so you can fully absorb what you’re seeing and experiencing. These sessions will be recorded and available on a secure site so you won't miss anything.
- Through these sessions you can:
  - learn about the key beliefs and practices of the six religions we explore;
  - discover important sacred sites and geography;
  - gain insight into the festival of Holi; and
  - develop a broader sense of India’s history and cultural context.

Guides: We have assembled an exceptional team of guides for this journey. Our lead guide holds a PhD in anthropology and specializes in translating academic knowledge into engaging and accessible insights for travellers. Additional guides include experts from Punjab, the historic homeland of Sikhism, and a member of the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala who can speak firsthand about Tibetan culture, religion, and life in exile following China's occupation of Tibet. Together, our guides will help bring India's history, cultures, and religious traditions to life, providing context and perspectives that go far beyond what is possible on a conventional tour.

Experiencing India's Contrasts: India is a country of remarkable beauty and profound contrasts. Visitors may encounter poverty, crowded urban environments, and ways of life that differ significantly from those in North America. We believe these experiences are part of the learning journey.

Info Sessions

Information Sessions

Our Discover India program offers a unique opportunity to experience the beautiful sights and sounds of India's religions and cultures.

If you are considering joining us on this adventure and have questions, please plan to attend one of our upcoming information sessions or reach out to Encounter.

Information sessions:

July 16, 2026 7:30 pm ET Register here

August 2026, 7:00 pm ET (TBA)

Comfort and Travel

After arriving in India, we will travel using a variety of methods chosen to maximize comfort, safety, and experience. Transportation will include:

Short flights between cities
Train travel with opportunities to enjoy the countryside
Bus or minivan transportation within and between cities
Boat rides on the Ganges
Walking tours
Rickshaw rides

Our travel plan is designed to balance efficiency and comfort while allowing us to experience India as it is lived.

For a day-by-day overview of travel days and approximate travel times, please refer to the detailed itinerary.

Accommodations

We will stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels chosen for comfort, cleanliness, location, and service. These accommodations will provide a comfortable base from which to explore India's remarkable religious and cultural sites.

A hotel list is included in the detailed itinerary.

Images are illustrative only and are

courtesy of Wikicommons: Hotel 1 and 2

Meals

India is home to one of the world's great culinary traditions. Throughout the journey, we will enjoy a variety of regional dishes at carefully selected restaurants and hotels.

Most meals will be taken at restaurants and hotels, both for comfort and food-safety considerations. India is exceptionally vegetarian-friendly, and we will do our best to accommodate dietary needs and restrictions. If you have allergies or special dietary requirements, please let us know during registration.

Travel

We have designed this journey to balance comfort, safety, efficiency, and authentic experience.

What to Expect:

India is one of the world's most fascinating and rewarding destinations. We want you to feel informed, prepared, and excited for the journey ahead.

The Rhythm of India

India is a vibrant and stimulating destination. Participants will encounter bustling markets, colourful festivals, busy streets, sacred rituals, and energetic urban environments unlike anything found in North America. Many travellers find this sensory richness to be one of India's most memorable qualities. There will also be opportunities throughout the journey to enjoy quieter moments in temples, gardens, and other peaceful settings.

Pace, mobility and comfort

Our itinerary balances active sightseeing with opportunities to rest, reflect, and enjoy time with fellow travellers. Hotel selections and scheduling have been designed with comfort and downtime in mind.

This trip involves regular walking and time on your feet. You should be comfortable navigating uneven ground, stairs, and crowded areas. Varanasi in particular includes many steps along the Ganges.

Language and guiding

A local English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout the trip.

Travel with Confidence

Participants will be supported throughout the journey by experienced local guides and tour staff. Accommodations, transportation, and logistics are professionally arranged through our travel partner, Off the Map Adventures.

Our Partner

We are thrilled to have the assistance of Off the Map Adventures in the organizing of this trip. Their ability to add one-of-a-kind experiences, their unique connections with knowledgeable and proven guides in India, and their knowledge of local sights, customs and experiences will make this trip a rich, immersive experience for our participants. (TICO Reg # 50011775)

Registration

For full details please download our terms and conditions information sheet.

Arrival in Delhi: March 17, 2027

Departure from Delhi: March 30, 2027

Trip cost:
$6679 CAD per person double occupancy ($4945 USD)

Additional $1395 for single occupancy ($995 USD)

Payment requirements
Deposits of $1000 CDN ($800 USD) per participant at time of booking
Final payment due by November 17, 2026

Please note:

Registration is only confirmed upon receipt of the deposit.
Space is not held until the deposit has been received.

Spaces are limited and we expect this program to sell out. Registration is first come, first served.

Confirmation details to follow after completing the booking form here.

Inclusions:

Internal Flights (Varanasi - Amritsar and Dharamsala - Delhi)
Transfer to hotel in Delhi for those arriving at approved flight times
Group accommodations throughout the program (March 17 to March 29)
Land transportation and train tickets
Tours and guides
Meals - 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 13 dinners
Pre trip classes with Brian Carwana

Exclusions

International flights
Private transfers to/from hotels in Delhi for international arrivals and departures (for those not arriving/departing at designated times)
Indian visa fees, vaccinations and related documentation if required
Beverages, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages outside of included services
Personal expenses
Government taxes and charges including surcharges imposed by airlines or government authorities
Personal medical expenses
Tips and gratuities for local guides, drivers and service staff
Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation (required)
Credit card processing fees if payment is made by credit card.

Please note: A minimum of 16 registrants is required to run this trip.
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for this trip.

To register please complete the online booking form.

Once you submit your form, our partner Off the Map will connect with you to guide you through the registration and payment process.

For Canadian payments, the deposit and balance can be made by e-transfer or cheque. Credit card payments are available for the balance of payments, however they will be subject to a processing fee of 2.9 - 3.9% which is charged by the payment processor.
Cheques can be made payable to Off The Map Adventures LTD. or e-transfer info@offthemap.ca

Want more details?

Download the full itinerary

See terms and conditions.

Or attend one of our upcoming information sessions.

For US payments, the remaining balances may be paid by credit card, subject to processing fee, wire transfer subject to $25 US fee, or ACH bank transfer. More details can be provided at time of invoicing.