A Journey 20 Years in the Making "In the Realm of the Spirit" 16 Days in September, 2007

Boulder, CO (PRWeb) February 5, 2007 -- In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the company she co-founded, Marilyn Downing Staff has crafted a special journey of discovery to the spectacular monasteries, temples, retreats and landscapes of India's upper northern region.

She chose this area for a signature trip, in part because it retraces steps she took 20 years ago, an inspiring journey that influenced her commitment to found her tour company, Asia Transpacific Journeys, to share her passion for all things Asian.

Today ATJ is the definitive expert in travel to Asia and the Pacific Rim, with Ms. Staff's 16-day Sept. 15-30 2007 trip to northern India one of 18 different itineraries for Small Groups (maximum 16 travelers) that showcase in-depth cultural explorations of the region.

Marilyn herself will lead the trip called India: In the Realm of the Spirit--Temples and Monasteries of the Indian Himalaya, to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

She says: "This particular part of Asia is unusually rich in contrasting spiritual traditions, affording unparalleled exposure to many different cultures and religions. The many styles of temple architecture, the distinct rituals, the way the amalgam has co-existed in this area for so long is inspiring. It's a feast for the mind and spirit."

Exclusive of international air, the per person (double) land cost is $5,695, with internal air at $510. A single supplement is $1,100. The rate includes beyond-the-ordinary lodging, meals, transport and private guide, as well as many other features.

The piece de resistance of the trip is a three-night, end-of-sojourn stay at the Ananda Spa in the Himalayas. This heavenly retreat recently garnered the coveted World's Number One Destination Spa award from Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Included are yoga and meditation classes, steam room and Jacuzzi facilities, and Morning Signature Wakeup Tea. Additionally, on offer are 79 different herbal treatments and an extensive menu of massage options.

The journey explores the convergence of diverse cultures including the deeply contemplative Buddhism of Ladakh, Sikhism's embrace of all human kind at Amritsar, the enlightened message of compassion espoused by the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, the intense devotion in sacred Hindu Haridwar, and the mystic yogic tradition prevailing in Rishikesh, a magnet for the soul-searchers since the days of the Beatles' Maharishi.

Overland drives reveal the mountainous and water-carved beauty of northern India, including an overnight in Dharamsala, a former British hill station amidst stunning Himalayan peaks. Enjoy a visit to the Tibetan Children's Village School that has cared for and educated more than 2,500 orphaned Tibetan children, under the patronage of the Dalai Lama, since the 1960s.

Accommodations run a delightful and authentic gamut, from Heritage Hotels to five-star boutique properties to rustic huts near an 11th century monastery.

After a train and rickshaw adventure, guests enjoy the Ananda Spa outside of Rishikesh, once the residence of Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. This 21,000-square-foot spa offers an extensive menu of over 70 body and beauty treatments integrating the traditional Indian systems of Ayurveda with contemporary Western spa luxuries.

The journey culminates in Delhi at the Hotel Imperial, reckoned among the finest hotels in Asia. The farewell dinner is at the Imperial's Spice Route, recognized as one of the world's top 10 restaurants by Conde Nast Traveler.

Included in the per-person land costs are accommodations, nearly all meals, transfers, visa fees, tips, entrance fees, medical and emergency insurance and a comprehensive pre-departure packet. ATJ can also arrange international air through its in-house air department.

Asia Transpacific Journeys has been crafting private Custom Journeys and Small Group Trips to the Asia/Pacific region since 1987.

Says CEO Downing Staff: "Our intimate, in-depth style promotes cross-cultural understanding, encourages environmental sustainability, and fulfills long-held personal dreams." She notes that ATJ'S regional expertise also makes ATJ the operator of choice for dozens of America's most demanding universities and museums.

For 2007 ATJ's ever-expanding itineraries of Small Group Trips and Custom Journeys encompasses over 20 countries in North Asia, South Asia, SE Asia and the Pacific. Some trips also support global conservation and cultural preservation. ATJ's own non-profit Asia Transpacific Foundation, established in 1998, works with rural Asian communities to provide clean drinking water through locally made ceramic water filters.

National Geographic Traveler (Oct 2006) has selected Asia Transpacific Journeys' Myanmar Trip as one of "50 Tours of a Lifetime"

For more information please see www.asiatranspacific.com or call toll free 800-642-2742.

Press contact: Sara Widness
sara @ widnesspr.com
802 234 6704

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