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The Spirit of India Story
Spirit of India is a small company dedicated to creating personal travel experiences that go beyond the basic sightseeing tours. Each itinerary has a special focus and the group size is never more than 16; often 8-12. Both western and local guides are employed. All are college educated and experts in the field of focus or region.

We also offer customized private travel for individuals, companies and organizations.

Our love of travel, our interest in exploring other cultures, and our special affinity for India are the basis of our business. You will receive personal attention and experienced guidance during the creation of your customized itinerary to insure that your journey is everything you desire. If you are joining one of our group tours, you will receive a detailed itinerary and background information on the areas the group visits.

Always feel free to call with any questions.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm PST.

Namasté!

Founder, Tour Itinerary Development, Sales, Customer Service, "The Boss"

Barbara Sansone, launched Spirit of India in 1997.

A former educator, magazine photographer and passionate traveler, she conceived of the idea after a 13-year career in Public Relations for arts and culture. Barbara Sansone

Due to repeated requests and the ease of travel between countries, the company began to extend its offerings to other parts of Asia. These countries include Tibet, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, China, and Mongolia.

After 9/11 and the demise of travel, especially to Asia, Barbara began to develop tours to other parts of the world which were considered safe, yet still contained an element of adventure and mystique. She conceived of the name Original World for the expanded company offerings which include Central & Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Turkey, Middle East: Egypt, Jordan, Arabian Peninsula and Africa: Morocco, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Africa.

Barbara envisions the company as a synthesis of personal, educational and cultural experiences. She is happy to speak to you at length about your travel interests and preferences and suggest the best travel experiences to suit you.

"Spirit of India is a culmination of all that I have done before," states Barbara, who is also a former educator as well as magazine photographer.

"I am able to use all my skills, resources and experiences to offer unique and exceptional journeys that are educational, cultural, spiritual and creative."

Through a series of magical coincidences, India actually chose Barbara, via the internet. Ask her for the long story if you are curious.

In-Bound Operations
Sanjay Verman has been working with Spirit of India for the past ten years, five of them as our exclusive partner. Our combined knowledge of India, creativity, personal resources and relationships create a synergy where the sum is truly greater than its parts. Spirit of India is able to offer the most unique, solidly developed and expertly operated travel services within India of any company you could find, but with more enhanced personal touches and hands-on approach, and usually greater price value. Traveling with Spirit of India, you are an honored guest, not just another tourist.

Our Escort: Mr.Ajay Singh is among the best young men in the field. He started out as a mountain guide but for the past many years he escorts cultural journeys in North India. He is a graduate in Indian History and comes from the cow belt of Central India that happens to be one of the most spiritual regions of India. He leads our annual Palace Life and Pushkar Fair tours through Rajasthan as well as any important hindu festival tours such as the Kumbh Mela.

Our Escort: Ajay Sood holds a degree in Indian History and has been associated with the travel trade for the last eighteen years, leading tours all over the country as well as to Nepal and Sri Lanka. He has escorted special interest tours on crafts and culture on the Indian Subcontinent for several renowned American and European travel companies including Ventours, Abercrombie & Kent, Geographic Expeditions, OAT, Sita USA, Bales Tours, Cox & Kings, Mandala Tours and Spirit of India. With a keen insight into the socio-economic and cultural heritage of India and excellent contacts, traveling with him is most rewarding.

Sanjay Verman: We are honored to have our India partner lead three of our tours annually. A travel professional since 1993, he is the foremost expert for Spiti Valley and Kinnaur (Ancient Cultures of Indian Himalayas) having developed this region and established relationships with the monks and locals before it opened to foreigners. He is also the foremost authority on the remote tribal belt of Assam and Arunachal. In addition, Sanjay is a certified hatha yoga instructor. Sanjay is the ultimate professional and a most gracious , generous and devoted host. Your experience of India will truly be enhanced by his guidance and companionship.

Stephen (Stevy) Epstein graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1979 specializing in photography. In 1980, with a passion for travel, Judaism and photography, he set out to document the remnants of the Jewish world behind the iron curtain in Poland. A number of photos were shown at the Yeshiva University Museum and published in the Jerusalem Post.

Since then, Stephen has taken on diverse assignments combining Judaism and photography covering everything from the spiritual community at Findhorn in northern Scotland to the Jewish Joint Distribution CommitteeÕs Êaid operation in the refugee camps of Goma, Zaire, after the Rwandan civil war.

After seeing so much suffering around the world, Stephen helped found a Jewish humanitarian NGO and traveled to Duzce, Turkey, after the 1999 earthquake to distribute pharmaceuticals and clothing to the residents living in tents.

In 1997 Stephen was part of the crew shooting the documentary "Quest for the Lost Tribes." During that trip, Stephen and the crew went to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, Israel and India.

In India, he met the members of the Bnei Menashe community of Manipur & Mizoram. He also spent time photographing Bnei Israel communities and landmarks. Upon his return to Canada, Stephen become an advocate for the Bnei Menashe in their quest to make aliyah to Israel and return to their Jewish roots. Working with the organization Kulanu, Stephen is lobbying on their behalf, sending the Bnei Menashe much-needed Judaic materials and texts, manages their website and is arranging the sale of products they handcraft such as Kippot and Talitot.

Most recently, Stephen returned to Poland as a photographer and on-location website designer for the 2000 March of the Living. Stephen lives with his wife, two children and two dogs in Toronto.

Stephen leads our Jewish Heritage Tours which includes visiting the Bnei Menasche community.

Why choose to use our services?

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941