Visit India – Change Your Life
with Shakta Kaur and Hari Dev Singh
Let India Transform You - February 14 to 28, 2011
FOR ALL SPIRITUAL SEEKERS, TRAVEL TO INDIA HAS A SPECIAL APPEAL. The very land is steeped in spirituality, where many ancient practices were developed and perfected over 5,000 years ago. Simply walking the land can leave a profound and lasting imprint on your soul. To transform your life requires a journey which will change the way you view yourself and the world. This tour maintains all the comforts of home with the profound experience of India, allowing you to absorb the area’s rich spiritual traditions while enjoying safe food, excellent lodging and the guidance of experienced staff.
Highlights of the tour include:
- 5-day Punarnava Conference “Ayurveda and Yoga: Where Science Meets Consciousness” held in Rishikesh (the Yoga capital of the world);
- Golden Temple in Amritsar;
- Visits to Old and New Delhi;
- Taj Mahal sunrise tour in Agra;
- Wash away your karmas in the sacred Mother River Ganges;
- Location of Buddha's first sermon after 'awakening' - Sarnath & Varanasi (optional extension of 2 days).
The BBC has listed the Golden Temple and Taj Mahal as two of the top ten sites to visit in the world. The fee includes the conference, comfortable lodging, sacred ceremonies, breakfast daily, and English-speaking guides throughout the trip. Besides visiting the great religious and cultural sites, and walking in the footsteps of the Masters, our tour also provides time to “shop with Shakta” in the bazaars and partake in local customs and ceremonies.
Basic tour $1,935 - land only; airfare to and from India is additional (about $1,300). An optional 2 day extension to Sarnath/Varanasi is $400. "Single Room" is available at additional cost (although not during the A&Y Conference). Price is per person in US funds based upon double occupancy. Fees increase on January 16. $500 deposit required with registration, non-refundable.
For details call (312) 922-4699
Tour is hosted by Kundalini Yoga in the Loop - 410 S Michigan Ave Suite 514 - Chicago, IL 60605. Shakta Kaur is your tour leader and is teaching at the Punarnava Ayurveda & Yoga Conference.
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| Important Details - Please Know These Things | |||
| Registration Form | Medical Considerations | Visa for India | Travel Suggestions |
| Fill-in this form then send it to Deepak at the address below along with your deposit check. | Please visit this
CDC website for details regarding any health warnings
for India.
You will also need to see a physician for medications to take with you on the tour, and also before/after the tour. Please visit your doctor, or even better, go to a "travel clinic" about 6 weeks prior to the departure date. |
You will need a passport and visa to enter India. Please ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months from the date of application. The visa process is generally done via mail, so allow 2 weeks to complete the process. (You can get same-day service in downtown Chicago.) You should apply for a 6-month Tourist visa, cost is about $73. You need 2 photos and a copy of your Birth Certificate. | This is a long list of things to consider as you prepare for your trip. |
To register for the tour, please contact the tour operator:
Deepak Singh - Spiritual Journeys, Inc. - (508) 358-4267
deepak@spiritualjourneys.net
www.SpiritualJourneys.net
262 Upland Road, Cambridge, MA 02478
| Primary Tour Itinerary - February 14 to 28 (or March 2 with Extension) | |
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Monday, February 14 Depart US on board your overnight flight to India. Tuesday, Feb 15 Delhi Late arrival in Delhi, you are met at the airport then transferred to the hotel.  Wednesday Feb 16 Rishikesh Early morning train to Haridwar which is considered a sacred destination. Transfer to Rishikesh by road along the banks of the Ganga. The riverside is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and the temples of sages. Check-in at Parmarth Niketan ashram, rest of the day at leisure Thursday-Monday, Feb 17-21 Punarnava Conference “Ayurveda and Yoga: Ayurveda and Yoga have their origin in the Vedas and share the same fundamental principles. Ayurveda’s regimen of diet and lifestyle is the foundation for overall wellness and treatment of disease; while Yoga, practiced in the context of this lifestyle, aims at spiritual development and self-realization. The objectives of the conference are to: • Encourage and motivate students and practitioners to go deeper into the study and practice of authentic Ayurveda and other Indian knowledge systems.  • Explore the traditional and powerful unity of Yoga and Ayurveda. • Scientifically understand and integrate the essence of Ayurveda and Yoga into teaching and practice. • Be a platform to exchange ideas between the worldwide Yoga and Ayurveda communities for a more profound understanding of universal wellbeing. • Interact with and be inspired by the great teachers of Ayurveda and Yoga. Featured teachers at the conference include: • Shakta Kaur of Chicago; Conference details are available at www.AyurvedaConference.com Three meals daily are included during the conference, along with your comfortable rooms at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. View this lovely venue at www.parmarth.com. |
Monday Feb 21 Travel Take the afternoon train from Haridwar to Amritsar. Founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, Amritsar is a spiritual city centered around the breathtaking Golden Temple.  Tuesday Feb 22 Amritsar Pre-dawn experience at the Golden Temple – one of the most elevating experiences of your life! Let the sound current heal your worries, pain and stress. Return to hotel for breakfast, then back to the Golden Temple for a full day of exploration. Perform the traditional “sight, sip, and a dip” in the holy water and wash away your karma. Wednesday Feb 23 Amritsar All day at leisure to explore Amritsar. Evening train to Delhi, overnight Delhi. Thursday Feb 24 Agra Early train to Agra; explore the city on your own. Go with Shakta to select fabrics and create your custom clothing.  Friday Feb 25 Taj Mahal Pre-dawn trip to Taj Mahal for a fantastic sunrise tour of this awesome monument. Return to hotel for breakfast, then tour in Fathepur Sikri. The Taj Mahal is perhaps the greatest love story ever told. It was built by Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved; to fulfill his promise to her - to erect a monument to match her beauty. 
Saturday Feb 26 Agra Day at leisure. Pick-up your new clothes. Take evening train to Delhi. Sunday Feb 27 Delhi A full day to explore the city, and shop, at your leisure. Midnight flight back home. Monday Feb 28 USA Arrive home this evening. |
Extension Tour to Sarnath/Varanasi (+$400)
Saturday Feb 26 Agra
A full day to explore the city at your leisure. Overnight train to Varanasi (sleeper car).
Sunday Feb 27 Varanasi
Visit Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first public lecture as an enlightened Master. Explore a nearby village to witness how the local people live (quite humbling!).
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| A village man makes ceramic pottery to be used at hotels serving yogurt to tourists. He receives 5 rupees for each pot (about 12 cents) which is considered a very good income. | The kitchen of the village man used to prepare the family meals. The stove is a raised mound of dirt with a hole for the heating fuel, dried cow manure. | The beautiful children of the village, such wonderful faces! |
Sunday Feb 28 Varanasi
Dawn boat ride on the Holy Ganga where bodies continue to be cremated on her banks. Return to hotel for breakfast. City tour for remainder of the day. Evening flight to Delhi.
Monday March 1 Delhi
All day sightseeing in this vibrant city. Late flight home.
Tuesday March 2 USA
Arrive home this evening.
Fee Includes: Breakfast daily, English speaking guides, monument entrance fees, transfers at all stations, listed in-country travel, hotel and government fees. Three meals daily during A&Y conference.
Fee Excludes: Roundtrip airfare to Delhi, India (about $1,300); Visa fees and departure taxes; Personal items such as water, phone calls, laundry, etc.; Tips; Increases in government fees; Any services not listed; Lunch/dinner excluded after A&Y conference.