Join Chasing Bubbles in India this November!

Chasing Bubbles
Jan 8, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

November 7–15, 2026

With optional pre-tour package Nov 2–7

Embark on a Heartfelt Pilgrimage

Join the Chasing Bubbles Foundation on a heartfelt pilgrimage to incredible India to retrace the final steps of Captain Alex Rust. This journey will honor his spirit of discovery and service. Participants will embark on an immersive experience exploring the meaning of life, adventure, and purpose. Along the way, we will continue his legacy by helping children in need, just as he did. Come be a part of this profound journey, blending introspection with impactful service, and celebrate a life devoted to adventure and giving back.

Why India? What does Chasing Bubbles and sailing have to do with this place? India is where Alex found new purpose beyond the adventure of the open sea, and where the roots of our foundation began.

To read more about our origin story and Alex's journey, check out the full story here: chasingbubbles.org/post/alex-s-last-steps-our-first

Pictured above are some highlights from Alex's final trip.

This trip is organized into 2 exciting segments:

Optional Pre-Tour: Nov 2–7, 2026
Main Tour: Nov 7–15, 2026

Trip Highlights:

Discover the rich history and culture of India through its food, colors, people, fortresses, and temples, spanning vibrant cities like New Delhi and Jaipur.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple at dawn. Ranked by the BBC as two of the top ten sites to visit in the world!
Participate in Diwali, the "Festival of Lights," a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
Visit Dharamsala, the home of the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. This unique town is a global center for Tibetan Buddhism and culture!
Walk the ghats of Varanasi, one of the most sacred cities in Hindu tradition.
Explore numerous other holy sites, including Hindu and Sikh places of worship, while immersing yourself in local culture and vibrant bazaars.

Included in the Trip:

Daily breakfast, and hotels for all 8 nights (13 nights if joining for the pre-tour)
All domestic transportation including an air conditioned bus and domestic flights in economy class
Sacred ceremonies and special access to Diwali activities
English-speaking guide throughout the trip

Costs Do Not Include:

International airfare in & out of Delhi
Tips & gratuities
Additional food & drink including mineral water and alcohol
Still camera & video camera fees at the various monuments and museums

Cost:

Main Tour (Nov 7–15, 2026 – 8 nights)
- Double Share Room: $2,995 per person
- Single Room: $4,150 per person

Optional Pre-Tour (Nov 2–7, 2026 + 5 nights, 13 nights total)
- Double Share Room: $4,215 total combined price
- Single Room: $5,780 total combined price

Payment is due Aug 7, 2026

*A portion of all fees supports the mission of the Chasing Bubbles Foundation.

See below for a full day by day itinerary, including the main tour and an optional pre-tour trip!

Ready to Commit?

Please fill out the following registration form and join us on this profound journey of discovery and service:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKI0ceTq8Hk

The Rust family retraces part of Alex's last steps in India in 2018.

Main Tour: November 7–15, 2026

November 7: Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi. Tour Group representatives will meet you as you exit customs and immigration and escort you to your hotel. Overnight: Delhi.

November 8: Delhi → Jaipur (Celebrate Diwali!)

Spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of Delhi, the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history-markers of medieval north India. Then drive to Jaipur.

In the evening, celebrate Diwali at Diggi Palace, followed by dinner.

November 9: Jaipur

Light day of sightseeing in the "Pink City," touring the famous amber Fort, shopping at local markets and spending time at some of the shops offering museum quality pieces.

Overnight: Jaipur.

November 10: Jaipur – Agra

Few hours of sightseeing then drive to Agra (5 hrs).

Overnight: Agra

November 11: Agra

Before dawn, visit the spectacular Taj Mahal – the most extravagant monument ever built for love.

Overnight: Agra.

November 12: Agra – Varanasi (train)

Depart Agra for Varanasi by an early train. Upon arrival, immediately depart for Sarnath. There are four important places for Buddhism: Lumbini (now Nepal) where he was born, Bodhgaya where he gained enlightenment, Sarnath where he gave his first public talk and Kushinager where he left his mortal body.

In the evening, witness an aarti on the banks of the Ganga and stroll through the narrow lanes of Varanasi bazaar for shopping.

Overnight: Varanasi.

November 13: Varanasi – Guwahati (air)

Early in the morning, go to the Holy River Ganga before dawn to experience a Ganges cruise and watch activities on the ghats. Stroll through narrow lanes of Varanasi bazaar & shop at the tiny shops. Return to your hotel for breakfast, check-out, spend a few hours sightseeing, and then fly to Guwahati.

Overnight: Guwahti.

November 14: Guwahati

Tour Jesuit missions around the Kohima Region and interact with students supported by Chasing Bubbles.

November 15: Guwahati – Delhi (air) – Departure

SJI rep will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Delhi this morning. Fly to Delhi, and stay at airport. SJI representative will assist you on arrival and departure for your onward journey. Overnight: On board your flight.

COSTS: US $ 2,995.00 per person 2-people sharing one twin share room or US$ 4,150.00 per person in a single room, with minimum of fifteen paying guests all arriving, traveling and departing together. A non-refundable deposit is due now to confirm your space. All payments due on or before Friday 7 August 2026.

LIKELY HOTELS

City	Hotel, Room Type	Night	Review
Delhi	Hyatt Centric, Standard	1	TripAdvisor
Jaipur	Ramada by Wyndham North, Standard	2	TripAdvisor
Agra	Clarks Shiraz, Standard	2	TripAdvisor
Varanasi	Rivatas by Ideal, Deluxe	1	TripAdvisor
Guwahati	Vivanta by Taj, Standard	2	TripAdviso r

Optional Pre-Tour: November 2–7, 2026

Dharamsala and Amritsar

November 2: Arrive Delhi

Overnight: Delhi

November 3: Delhi – Dharamsala (air)

Fly to Dharamsala, Spend rest of day sightseeing at this tranquil Buddhist town.

Overnight: Dharamsala

November 4: Dharamsala

Spend the day wandering around the small town which is the home of the Tibetan government in exile, and an important Buddhist center.

November 5: Dharamshala – Amritsar (road)

Drive to Amritsar and sightseeing. Overnight: Amritsar.

November 6: Amritsar

At dawn, visit the Golden Temple the most important place of worship for the Sikhs, and see the Guru Granth Sahib being brought to Harmindar Sahib. Then go straight to the Pakistan/India border town of Wagah to see the change of guard ceremony. It is a spectacle comparable to 'Changing of the Guards' in London. The pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat and the Changing of the Guards within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes for a most charming spectacle.

Overnight: Amritsar

November 7: Return to Delhi → Join Main Tour

Rejoin the group and begin the Main Tour.

COSTS: For BOTH Tours: US $ 4,215.00 per person 2-people sharing one twin share room or US $5,780.00 per person in a single room

A non-refundable deposit is due now to confirm your space. All payments due on or before Friday 7 August 2026.

LIKELY HOTELS

CITY/Nights	HOTEL, *ROOM TYPE*	REVIEW
Delhi/1	IBIS New Delhi Aerocity, Standard	TripAdvisor
Dharamsala/2	Amritara Surya, Standard	TripAdvisor
Amritsar/2	Ramada, Standard	TripAdvisor