India Himalayan Spiritual Adventure-Source of The Ganges

Travel with Learning Journeys to the mythical Indian Himalayas on this incredible trekking tour.

The mystical source of life and culture in India, The Holy River Ganges, is the most sacred river in the Hindu religion and its source at Gomukh at the Gangotri glacier. Gomukh is one of the holiest places for Hindu pilgrims who come here to witness the birth of Mother Ganga. This Himalayan trekking tour takes one to Gomukh (cows mouth), the mythological source of the River Ganges, which is at the snout of the Gangotri glacier. Seeing the Ganga flow with all her mystical energy, paired with calmness and serenity as you experience the temple bells ringing and the priests chanting shlokas behind you will create a place of inner transformation. Everything is included! All meals, hotels, guest houses, trekking crew including porters and cooks. You will visit some of the most spiritual destinations in the world such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Badrinath and Gangotri and Gomukh. Includes a post trek stay at an Himalayan Ayurvedic spa to focus on yoga, meditation, ayurvedic treatments and daily yoga. Giving back is at the core of the Learning Journeys mission. We will visit NGO's that support women's empowerment.

Inspired? Optional stay in India after your journey for Yoga Alliance Yoga Teacher Training 200 hour with Himalayan yoga masters at Yoga Vedenta in Rishikesh.

Inclusions

Includes:

Local Guide: English speaking local guide will be arranged for Delhi tour

41 Meals: 14 breakfast, 14 Lunch & 13 Dinner - are included as per the itinerary.

Accompanying guide: From Rishikesh onwards accompanying guide Mr. Sandesh Singh will travel with the group. He will come to Delhi to receive the group and to travel with them till departure in Haridwar.

Yoga Instructor: Yoga Teacher/Guru will travel with the group from Rishikesh to Rishikesh for daily Yoga session as per the itinerary (from Day 4 to Day 12).

Trekking arrangements with cook, porter, tent with mattresses, toilet tent, dinning tent and chairs.

Hot food (Indian, Continental and Chinese- mix menu / vegetarian) will be served on trekking.

10 kg per person baggage portage by local porters during trekking (We request you to travel as light as possible).

All entrance fees to sites and monuments as per the itinerary.

01 hour spa session daily during stay in NatureOville.

Learning Journeys representative for assistance at airport / railway station transfers.

All currently applicable taxes, tolls, parking fees and service tax.

Special Site events & Activities

Cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi lanes

Yoga Sessions & guidance by Guru ji during the tour as per itinerary

Visit atMatrachaya Orphanage of Girls in Haridwar

Family meet & visit, cooking and lunch in Haridwar

Meeting with an Astrologer in Rishikesh

Aarti Ceremony of Ganges in Rishikesh

Community services in Purkal Youth Development Society

PROGRAM COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

International / domestic airfare

Passport and Visa fees for India

Any Insurance and Medical Facilities during Emergency

Any rescue or evacuation cost during any natural calamity or Force majeure

Any gratuities

Expense of personal nature like - tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, drinks/beverages, camera/video

camera fee at monuments, medical expense etc.

Any meals and services not mentioned in the inclusions

IMPORTANT

In this itinerary, from Rishikesh onwards hotels will be very basic because you will be travelling on

Pilgrimage Path. In Hindu religion, pilgrims are not supposed to travel with luxury and pilgrimage is considered as the journey without luxury. With this reason, none of the reputed hotel groups have invested in this region. We will be careful in selecting simple yet neat and clean rooms.

Due to the holy land (Uttrakhand), NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD is strictly NOT allowed. The meals served

during the tour will be purely vegetarian.

At some locations consumption and carrying alcohol/liquor is strictly prohibited.

It is recommended to carry the followings:

Ø Sunglass & moisturiser or sun screen cream.

Ø Heavy & light woollen clothing and windcheater jacket & raincoat

Ø Hand gloves & cap (woolen and sun cap)

Call (877) 294-4053 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13732852

Tour Operator: Learning Journeys

Offer: Offer valid through 3/31/2018

Duration: 17 Days

Escorted: Escorted - Yes

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Departure Day	Departure Day! Depart from your home on your Spiritual Northern India Source of The Ganga Adventure. Book flights to arrive on the evening of day 2 or the early am of day 3.
Day 2	Delhi	Arrive Delhi Namaste and welcome to Delhi! After clearing customs and formalities, Learning Journeys Representative will receive you in arrival lounge (Near Costa Coffee Counter) and transfer to hotel. Welcome to India's capital city. Contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent. Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital Delhi. Overnight.
Day 3	Delhi	Spiritual Delhi Enjoy a leisurly breakfast at the hotel. At 11am we will venture out on our Spiritual Delhi overview. Visit ISKCON temple and spend some time there while meeting with Shri Mohan Rupa Das Ji and attend Raj Bhog aarti at 1230 PM. Go for lunch at Local Restaurant. Visit Old Delhi narrow lanes market with cycle rickshaw ride, Raj Ghat and Gandhi Museum. Also visit Sikh Temple and reach Brila Temple for aarti at 6:30 PM. Come together for dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Delhi (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 4	Rishikesh	Delhi-Haridwar After early breakfast, transfer to New Delhi Railway Station for train to Haridwar The word Haridwar is the combination of two words "Hari" means the God and "Dwar" means the gate. The literary meaning of Haridwar is the gate to Gods. The city is located at the point where theGanges leaves the Himalayas to begin its journey across the plains, makes it a particularly holy place. Every 12 years the Kumbh festival attracts millions of pilgrims who come and bathe in the river. Various episodes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata are set in this ancient town. On arrival visit Matranchal Orphanage for Girls. "Matranchal" means "Mother`s lap" which is very true with this organization. The organization not only gives love and shelter to girls but also provide them with quality education so these girls can live their life independently. After lunch in local restaurant, drive to Rishikesh - at a height of about 1360 feet above sea level, is the Gateway to the Himalayas and a major centre of spirituality and pilgrimage. Several temples dot the banks of the Ganges at Rishikesh. Since ages, yogis & sadhus lived and practiced religion here. This small hill town got an introduction to the western world in late 60's when Beatles stayed at an Ashram here. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. In the evening meet an Astrologer. Astrology in India has deep roots and surprisingly most of the people have deep faith in it. This is going to be an interesting session for you. Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Rishikesh (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 5	Rishikesh	Rishikesh-Beatles Ashram-Aarti Ceremony In the morning, yoga session with Yogiji. Visit Laxman Jhula - the iron suspension bridge built in 1939, dedicated to younger brother of lord Rama and Geeta Bhawan - the famous Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharta are described here through beautiful wall paintings. Also visit the Ashram where Beatles stayed. Lunch at hotel In the evening visit Parmarth Niketan Ashram where we will witness the prayer of river Ganges, called "Ganga Aarti". The ceremony is performed by ashram resident children who are studying the Vedas there. The ceremony commences with the singing of bhajans (prayers), and a purifying and sacred ritual that takes place around a fire, with the offerings made to the fire god (Agni). The lamps are lit and the aarti takes place as the final part of the ceremony. The children sing along with the spiritual head of the ashram, in sweet, haunting voices. This is a very spiritually engaged ceremony. Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Rishikesh (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 6	Utarkashi	Rishikesh To Utarkashi In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast drive for Uttarkashi which is at about 900 meter height and our place for overnight stop on the way to Gangotri.( Approx. 6 hours.) Lunch at midway restaurant On arrival, check-in at hotel. Dinner at hotel Overnight in Uttarkashi (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 7	Gangotri	Utarkashi to Gangotri In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast, drive to Gangotri which is at 3048 metre height. Our drive follows the torrential river upstream with a series of hairpin bends. Stop enroute at hot water sulphur springs in Gangnani village. Those who want can have a quick refreshing bath in the pool. Lunch at midway restaurant On arrival check-in at Guest House. In the evening, visit the Gangotri Temple for evening prayer dedicated to the goddess Ganges. Thousands of Pilgrims arrive here to wash away their sins in the holy Ganges, it is said that Lord Shiva sat at the base of this fall to take the Ganges into his locks, for otherwise her descent from the heavens would have split the earth. The temple structure was built by Gorkha Army Officer Amar Singh Thapa in 18th century. Dinner at Guest House. Overnight in Gangotri (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 8	Bhojwasa	Trek Begins-Gangotri to Bhojabasa In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast gear up! Your Himalayan trekking tour to Bhojabasa begins, visiting Cheerbasa enroute at 3350 metre height. By easy walk we will pass through dense deodar forests before emerging into the wide and beautiful un-forested valley. It then carries on to a small isolated forest of pine trees at Chirbasa, literally the abode of Pines. Carry packed lunch today Camp on a grassy meadow beside the River Bhagirathi. Dinner and overnight stay at Camp in Bhojwasa (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 9	Bhojwasa	Trek To Gomukh In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast, trek along the grassy hill sides at the height of 3850 metre. The trail then curves to unfold a breathtaking view of wild flowers studded meadows crowned by the Bhagirathi group of peaks and wide sandy beach at Gaumukh - where the holy Ganges gushes out of the snout of the Gaumukh Glacier. Also witness the magnanimous view of peaks Bhagirathi I, II and III above the glacier. Carry packed lunch today. Spend some time here and trek down to the campsite in Bhojwasa Dinner and overnight stay at Camp in Bhojwasa (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 10	UTTARKASHI	BHOJWASA/GANGOTRI/UTTARKASHI In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast retrace steps to Gangotri (14 kms trek) and then drive down approx 4 hours to Uttarkashi. Carry packed lunch today. Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Uttarkashi (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 11	Rudraprayag	UTTARKASHI/ RUDARPARYAG In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast drive down to Rudraprayag ( 7 hours) which is situated at the confluence of rivers Alaknanda & Mandakini and our place for overnight on the way to Badrinath. Lunch at enroute restaurant. Dinner at hotel Overnight in Rudraprayag (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 12	BADRINATH	RUDARPARYAG/ BADRINATH In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After breakfast drive to Badrinath - one of the most sacred and respected shrines of India. (7 hours) Protected by two mountain ranges 'Nar' and 'Narayan' on either sides is the pilgrimage place of Hindus, Badrinath Temple. With Neelkanth peak forming a beautiful backdrop, Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu is in the itinerary of every devout Hindu. It is one of the four pilgrimage places called Char-Dham which every Hindu is supposed to visit to attain salvation. The place is called Badrinath because of the wild berries found here ('badri' means berries). The Badrinath temple here is the main complex where devotees seek blessings. Every year thousands and thousands of pilgrims pay a visit to this place in summers, since due to snowfalls, the temple remains closed during winters. At an altitude of 3,133 metres, it is a difficult journey to this place yet faith defies every hurdle on the journey to salvation. The temple stands facing River Alaknanda on its banks. Facing the temple near the river is Tapt Kund, a thermal spring where people refresh before going to the temple. Other attractions are Bhim Pul - a big rock works as bridge over roaring Saraswati River. The legend says Bhim (one of the Pandawa kings) placed this rock to smoothen their journey to heaven. Also visit Mana village which is inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe. The village is the last civilian village of India towards Tibet/Indo-China borderline. Lunch enroute at restaurant. Dinner at Hotel. Overnight in Badrinath (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 13	Natureoville	BADRINATH/Rishikesh/ NATUREOVILLE In the morning, yoga session with Yogi ji. After early breakfast beging the journey back to Rishikesh a relaxed stay at NatureOville Vedic Retreat Stop en route at midway restaurant for lunch. Dinner at NatureOville. Overnight in NatureOville Vedic Retreat (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 14	Natureoville	NATUREOVILLE Day today is at leisure in NatureOville Vedic Retreat. Enjoy 01 hour spa session at hotel Lunch and dinner at NatureOville. Overnight in NatureOville Vedic Retreat (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 15	Natureoville	NATUREOVILLE/PURKUL/NATUREOVILLE In the morning take 01 hour spa session at hotel. Today, on site visit to Purukal Youth Development Society, a community organization that strives for excellence in rural children through free holistic education, day long nutrition, and complete health care. It has dual focus - development of individual capacity of the underserved and the consequent building of community capacity. The NGO is not only running a school but also ensuring student's transition into a successful adulthood. In addition to education, the NGO has taken several community development initiatives like - employment to the ladies of rural community, health & sanitation, social causes (such as domestic violence against females, child abuse, dowry, alcoholism, female infanticide and foeticide etc) and natural disaster relief Enjoy your lunch with the staff and children here at Purukal. Evening remains at leisure Dinner at NatureOville Overnight in NatureOville Vedic Retreat (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 16	Delhi	NATUREOVILLE/ HARIDWAR/ DELHI - train After breakfast drive to Haridwar (approx 1 hour drive) and visit famous places like Shanti Kunj, Jain Temple and Har-ki-Pauri. Today's lunch will be with a local family. Your host is a middle class family of India. The couple is ever smiling and live with old parents and a son. After an interactive lunch session with the family your host lady would love to take you to the market. In the evening transfer to Railway Station for train to Delhi Shatabdi Express. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel near airport for short stay. (Meal: B, L)
Day 17	Departure	Departure Early morning, transfer to airport for flight back to home. Hotel reserved until noon. Extend your stay and include yoga teacher training.

Dates/Pricing