"The morning environment in the Himalayas is so calm and serene that it leads an aspirant spontaneously to silence. That is why people of the Himalayas become meditators” – Swami Rama, Living with the Himalayan Masters
Welcome to Sacred Himalayas
We under take Himalayan pilgrimages and trips with the intension of providing you an unforgettable experience in the homeland of Yoga, Philosophy and Mysticism. During the pilgrimages/ trips one is absorbed into an aura of higher levels consciousness and energy. For centuries these venerated Himalayan sites have been hallowed by the living presence of sages, saints and adepts who have established eternal communion with the Divine. Yog Asana, Pranayama, Meditation and chanting/ satsanga in these sacred places provide a terrestrial "doorway" to the Infinite.
Pilgrimage to Gangotri – September & October 2008
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Gongotri is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Himalayan ranges. It is the land of the Hamsas (Supreme Soul), where the mountain peaks are perennially blanketed with snow. Gangotri is spot where the holy river Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. A shrine dedicated to the Goddess Ganga had been constructed in the early 18th century. The Gaumukh (literal meaning, cow's mouth), which is at an altitude of 4200 mts above sea level, is the geographical origin of the Ganges and is at a distance of 18 km from the Gangotri uphill.
DAY ONE
Leave New Delhi early morning to Haridwar and Rishikesh (distance of 240 kms, travel time of 8 hrs). Night stop at Rishikesh by river Gangaji. Group will visit Kriya Yoga Temple and take part at the evening Ganga Arty at Ram Jula (made famous by Parmath Niketan broadcast on Satellite T.V.channels). Evening meditation and chanting will be by Gangaji.
DAY TWO
Leave from Rishikesh to Uttarakashi through Chamba and Tehri ( distance of180 kms, 7 to 8 hrs of travel time).Night stop at Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi is also know as the valley of yogis/saints and as the name suggest is held almost as high a veneration as Kashi of the plain(Varanasi). The group will visit the temple dedicated to Lord Vishwanath (Siva)and many saints and sages living in the valley. Evening Satsang and Meditation with Swami Premanandaji at Sivananda Ashram.
Uttarkashi to Gangotri (9000 feet) and Back to Uttarkashi ( total distance of 160 kms two way). On the way to Gangotri, stopping at Gangnani for a refreshing dip in hot water spring, prior to visiting the holy Gangotri temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Submerged Shivling, Kedar Ganga Sangam, Bahironghatiand Harsil are other places which will be visited by the group. Walk to Gaumukh the source of Ganges is also a great option, but will require an additional day or more, as it is 18 kms from Gangotri at a height of 12,600feet above sea level and has to be covered by foot or on ponies.Group chanting, yoga and meditation at a cave in Gangotri.
DAY FOUR
Uttarkashi (3800 feet)to Rishikesh/New Tehri ( distance of 180 kms, 7 hours of travel time). We will visit Lord Rama’s Guru Sage Vashishta’s cave. Group chanting mediation at the cave. Night stop will be at Rishikesh.
DAY FIVE
Visit Har- ki- Pairi,Neemkaroli Baba Ashram, Manasa Devi Mandir, Swami Rama Ashram, Mata Ananadamayi and Lahiri Mahasaya Samadhi Mandir before leaving from Haridwar/Rishikesh towards New Delhi (240 kms,6-8 hours of travel time ).
End of itinerary
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TIMING (May/September/October)
The pilgrimages have been scheduled to coincide with the time of year when the monsoon rains are either over or yet to start in the Himalayas, and the weather is most pleasant in India. It is also the period when the domestic-tourist season is either starting or ending and hence these places are less crowded and offer good bargains.
FITNESS
The trip requires decent levels of physical fitness as majority of the road travel would at height of 6000 to 9000 feet above sea level. Elder or less fit people can cover the distance over longer durations of time. Individuals planning to trek 18 ms to Gaumukh will require higher levels physical fitness.
YOGA and SATSANG
In the mornings Group Yoga Asana, Pranayama and meditation session will be organized followed by bhajans/kirtan, mantra -chanting, Satsanga and Aathi in the evenings.
We offer variety of vehicles on hire including motorbikes. SUV are recommended vehicles for Himalayan trip as the roads are demanding,require high ground clearance and long journey durations (180kms can easily take 8-10 hrs). All land transportation will be by air-conditioned Toyota Qualis and Toyota Innova -type SUV for the group.
Our partners offer a range of accommodation facilities ranging from Luxury to Budget rooms and ashram/ camp site accommodation. All the partners’ accommodation facilities are clean,spacious, airy and value for money propositions. All rooms have attached bathrooms, with hot water facilities.
Food plays an important part in making our travel an enjoyable and memorable experience. Many of the partner accommodation facilities have in-house restaurants/kitchens, which provide clean, healthy and homely food(for in the case of Guest House and Ashrams)ideal for travelers. The staff members are polite and well – mannered.Facilities, which do not offer kitchen/restaurants services are located adjacent or near to good places to dine.
PILGRIMAGE FEES OPTIONS
-
Per person All travel + Double Occupancy Budget Rooms
- Per person All travel + Single Occupancy Budget Rooms
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Per person All travel + Double/Single Ashram Accommodation
- Per person All travel + Luxury/Mid Range Hotels
If you wish double occupancy accommodation and you do not have a partner ,you will be assigned a roommate if possible.
The programme fee includes land transport from and to New Delhi, all group transportation, and lodging (it does not cover food charges, except where it is mentioned). Not included in the programme fee are most lunches ( as we will traveling), snacks, and beverages; medical insurance or medical care should you need it; donations at ashrams; and personal hotel expenses such as laundry,telephone, or Internet. The cost of travel from Gangotri to Gaumukh will be extra.
ADDONS
Advanced Hatya Yoga and consultative sessions, yoga retreats, ayurvedic cooking and healing sessions, river rafting, trekking, camping and other services can also be made available to the group.
Pilgrimage to Badrinath – October 2008
Duration:9 days and 8 nights
Badrinath or Badrinarayan is located at a height of 3050 meters above sea level and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative posture. The shrine is well know pilgrimage site for over 2000 years and has been venerated by Buddhists since early times. Pramahansa Yogananda mentions in “Autobiography of a Yogi”, that areas near Badrinath are still blessed by the living presence of Mahavatar Babaji, the deathless master. Immediately adjacent to the shrine of Lord Badrinath is the temple dedicated to Divine Mother. Prior to visiting the temple pilgrims bathe in Tapt Kund, a hot water spring pool with great rejuvenating and medicinal vale.
ITINERARY
Leave New Delhi early morning to Haridwar and Rishikesh (distance of 240kms,travel time of 8 hrs). Night stop at Rishikesh by river Gangaji.Group will visit Kriya Yoga Temple and take part at the evening Ganga Arty at Ram Jula (made famous by Parmath Niketan broadcast on Satellite T.V. channels). Group meditation and chanting by the mother Ganga.
Leave from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag ( distance of140 kms, 7 hrs of travel time). Night stop at Rudraprayag.Rudraprayag is the confluence of the Rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda. It is said that sage Narad meditated here for several years at the temple of Rudranath.The temple is situated at the meeting point of the two rivers. There are various temples to visit dating from 7thcentury AD up to 12th century AD. Group yoga, chanting and meditation near the confluence of the rivers.
Rudraprayag to Joshimath which is 2000 meters above sea level ( distance of 110 kms, 5 to 6 hours travel time). VisitShankaracharya Monastery and cave where Adi Shankaracharya meditated for four years in 8thCentury AD. Night stay at Joshimath or Auli-which is a skiing paradise at a height of about 2950 meters above sea level with great views of the entire Himalayan range. Group mediation near Shankarachary's cave.
Joshimath to Badrinath (3150 meters) a distance of 50 kms to be covered in2-3hours of travel time. Take bath in scared waters of Tapt Kund and pay visit Lord Badrinarayan at the temple. Group yoga, chanting and meditation session near the Badrinath shrine.
Hike to Vasudhara Falls via Mana, visit Sri Ved Vyasa cave( the author of Bhagavat Gita), Babaji Ashram, and leisure time.Group meditation and mantra chanting near Sri Ved Vyasa cave.
DAY SIX
Leave Badrinath for Srinagar 160 kms and travel time of 9 to10 hours. Night stop at Srinagar.Group chanting and meditation.
Leave Srinagar for Rishikesh, 110 kms of distance and travel time of 5 hours. We will visit Lord Rama’s Guru SageVashishta’s cave. Night stop will be at Rishikesh by mother Ganga. Group Meditation near Sage Vashishta's cave by mother Ganga.
Visit Lakshman Jhula, Neemkaroli Baba Ashram, Swami Dyananda Ashram, Har- ki-Paudi, Manasa Devi Mandir, Mata Ananadamayi, and Lahiri Mahasaya Samadhi Mandir and take part in the evening arti of mother Ganga at Haridwar. Group meditation at Swami Rama Ashram /with Swami Atmatattvananda. Night stay at Rishikesh/ Haridwar.
DAY NINE
Morning group yoga and meditation by mother Ganga. Leave Rishikesh/ Haridwar to New Delhi , a distance of 240 kms and travel time of 6 to 8hours.Drop the group at respective places i.e. Railway station, Airport or Hotel/ Guest House.
End of itinerary
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TIMING (May/September/October)
The pilgrimages have been scheduled to coincide with the time of year when the monsoon rains are either over or yet to start in the Himalayas, and the weather is most pleasant in India. It is also the period when the domestic-tourist season is either starting or ending and hence these places are less crowded and offer good bargains.
FITNESS
The trip requires decent levels of physical fitness as majority of the road travel would at height of 6000 to 9000 feet above sea level. Elder or less fit people can cover the distance over longer durations of time.
In the mornings Group Yoga Asana, Pranayama and meditation session will be organized followed by bhajans/kirtan, mantra- chanting , Satsanga and Aathi in the evenings.
VEHICLE
We offer variety of vehicles on hire including motorbikes. SUV are recommended vehicles for Himalayan trip as the roads are demanding, require high ground clearance and long journey durations (180 kms can easily take 8-10 hrs). All land transportation will be by air-conditioned Toyota Qualis and Toyota Innova -type SUV for the group.
ACCOMMODATION
Our partners offer a range of accommodation facilities ranging from Luxury to Budget rooms and ashram/ camp site accommodation.All the partners’ accommodation facilities are clean, spacious, airy and value for money propositions. All rooms have attached bathrooms, with hot water facilities.
Food plays an important part in making our travel an enjoyable and memorable experience. Many of the partner accommodation facilities have in-house restaurants/kitchens, which provide clean, healthy and homely food (for in the case of Guest House and Ashrams)ideal for travelers. The staff members are polite and well –mannered. Facilities, which do not offer kitchen/restaurants services are located adjacent or near to good places to dine.
PILGRIMAGE FEES
-
Per person All travel + Double Occupancy Budget Rooms
-
Per person All travel + Single Occupancy Budget Rooms
-
Per person All travel + Single/Double Ashram Accommodation
-
Per person All travel + Single Occupancy Luxury/Mid Range Hotels
If you wish double occupancy accommodation and you do not know another pilgrim, you will be assigned a room mate if possible.
The programme fee includes land transport from and to New Delhi, all group transportation, and lodging (it does not cover food charges, except where it is mentioned). Not included in the programme fee are most lunches ( as we will traveling), snacks, and beverages; medical insurance or medical care should you need it; donations at ashrams; and personal hotel expenses such as laundry,telephone, or Internet. The fee does not cover cost of trip to Valley of flowers or Hem Kund Sahib.
ADDONS
Advanced Hatya Yoga and consultative sessions, yoga retreats, ayurvedic cooking and healing sessions, river rafting, trekking, camping and other services can also be made available to the group.
Limited seats are available in each group ! for further details and inquiries please contact us :
E-mail: himalayastravel@gmail.com
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