INDIA TOUR

North India
Rishikesh and Haridwar

Our pilgrimage begins in what many call the birthplace of yoga, the holy city of Rishikesh. While popularized by the Beatles visit in 1968 to study meditation, Rishikesh is an ancient city that has been a destination for spiritual seekers for ages. Rishikesh is the home of several temples, ashrams and hermitages that are established on the banks of the divine Ganges River. We will visit a number of awesome spiritual sites as well as partkake in the Ganga Aarti, visit the cave of the great Sage Vashishta and take the holy dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Our tour will also include a visit to the neighboring town of Haridwar and to the samadhi shrine (tomb) of the great Saint Anandamay Maa.

Varanasi

Moving further down Ganga (the Ganges River), we will visit one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and for many Hindus and yogis, the ultimate pilgrimage, Varanasi. Visiting Varanasi is a transformational experience and a true blessing in the life of any spiritual seeker, which must be experienced first-hand to be be appreciated. It is home to thousands of sadhus (those who have renounced the world), tombs of great yogis, temples and ghats (sacred river-fronts often used for ceremonial cremation).

South India
Temples

We will visit some of India’s most sacred and powerful temples, traveling back centuries as we enter these living bastions of faith and devotion. Each temple has its own unique significance and houses special energies with the potential to transform our being in a particular way. Our journey will take us to Tirumala Lord Venkateshwara Temple (the most visited place of religious pilgrimage in the world), Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (where the sage Patañjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, meditated) , Brihadisvara Temple (an ancient 50-acre temple built over 1,000 years ago) and many more. Each temple’s significance and history will be discussed further in the weeks leading up to the tour.

Arunachala and Pondicherry
India has been home to many spiritual giants—great souls whose lives have been an inspiration for seekers of truth everywhere. And while many of these saints and seers are no longer physically with us, their powerful presence still pulsates within the halls of their hermitages and resting places.

We will experience the uplifting spiritual vibrations of these masters firsthand, as we visit the ashrams of great yogis and sages including Sri Aurobindu Ashram (in Pondicherry) as well as Ramana Maharshi’s Ashram at the feet of the holy hill, Arunachala (in Tiruvannamalai). We will also venture onto the slopes of the holy hill, Arunachala to meditate in the caves where Ramana Maharshi spent decades absorbed in samadhi. The vibrations of these sacred areas are awesome—indescribable. They simply must be experienced in person to be appreciated.

Ayurvedic Spa Stay and Treatment
We will conclude our visit with a 2-night stay at a one of India’s most luxurious accommodations and Ayurvedic spas, the Kaya Kalp Royal Spa (pictured below). Two spa treatments at this heavenly oasis are included in your tour package, and you are welcome to arrange more.

Accommodation
and Travel
Our journey to some of the most powerful destinations India includes many beautiful, rich and full days. At the end of each day, we will rest and rejuvenate at some of India’s most comfortable and luxurious accommodations.

Our journey halts in six different locations during our 12 day visit, including the 5-star ITC Grand Chole in Chennai (at the conclusion of our trip), and also, 4 days near the beach in the quaint town of Pondicherry (a French colonial settlement in India until 1954).

All of your travel within India is included as a part of the tour. This includes 3 domestic flights, a boat ride down the River Ganga and travel by car.

Diwali Festival - A Celebration of Lights
We are truly blessed and fortunate that our journey will conclude with the Diwali Celebrations in India on October 25th. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a time that commemorates the victory of light (or wisdom) over darkness (or ignorance). It is the most celebrated time of year for Hindus and to experience Diwali in India is an added treat—we could not ask for a better conclusion to our trip.

Tour Package and Cost
The tour package for our journey into Sacred India includes the following items: All accommodations, all meals and snacks (delicious Indian food and other cuisines when available), and all of your transportation within India during the trip—including 3 domestic flights—are included. At some of the temples, you will have the option to participate in various ceremonies and rituals—some of these will be included in your tour package. One Spa treatment is also already included in your tour package, and you are welcome to indulge in more.

Our tour will be led by Michael Stasko, who has hosted and helped facilitate spiritual tours in India for about a decade. Prior to departing for India, Michael will be providing you with more information about these sacred destinations and their significance, so you may better appreciate this amazing journey. During the trip Michael will continue to share the insights he has gleamed from his time spent living in India.. We will also often be supported by local guides as well. In many locations we will sit to meditate and absorb these high, soothing vibrations into our being. Depending on circumstances, Michael will also facilitate some of these meditation sessions.

The packages for all of the above are as follows:
$7,890 for private (unshared) accommodations - luxury package
$6,870 for shared accommodations (single roommate—depending on the availability of a roommate) - luxury shared package

Kindly note: Space is limited to 10 members for this amazing experience. A deposit of $2500 is required to hold your space. And kindly note that airfare to and from the 2022 India Tour is not included in the above tour package.

Interested?! Questions? Ready to register?
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