AN
UNFORGETTABLE TRIP TO SPIRITUAL INDIA:
HARIDWAR - BADRINATH - GHANGARIA - RISHIKESH
ACCOMMPANIED
BY THE INDIAN YOGA AND MEDITATION MASTER:
SWAMI PUROHIT
11th
- 29th August 2010
THE
TRIP INCLUDES:
A 19 day trip that inclues visits to Nueva Delhi, Haridwar, Badrinath,
Rishikesh, Valley of Flowers, Joshimath…
Treks through some of the most spiritual places in the Himalayas.
Full board throughout the trip except for the 3 nights in Delhi
(breakfast only).
Luxury hotels and camps throughout the trip.
Travel with a group of people with shared interests.
Five day spiritual retreat in Rishikesh which includes an Ayurvedic
masaje.
And much more…..!
We have organised this trip in order to offer an authentic experience
of spiritual India and encourage understanding of the culture,
history and people of this captiviating country. We will be visitng
some of the most important spiritual places as well as experimenting
the inevitable personal growth which forms part of such an experience.
All of this, accommpanied by Swami Purohit, Indian master of yoga,
meditation and vedic philosophy, who not only was born in the
Himalayas but whose spiritual path took place in the very same
mountains and villages that we will be visiting. Thanks to Swamiji
we will have access to places and experiences that would normally
be out of bounds for tourists. There can be no better guide to
accompany is on this unique, life changing journey....
Below we offer you the following information:
• TRIP ITINERARY
• PRICES AND TERMS OF BOOKING
• GENERAL INFORMATION
• VISA INFORMATION Link to the Indian Embassy in Madrid
ITINERARY
Day 1. – 11th August: MADRID - DELHI
The group travels from Madrid to Delhi. On reaching Delhi the
group will be greeted at Delhi International Airport and transferred
to the Hotel Grand Peepal.
Day
2. – 12th August: DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for resting, exploring Delhi,
shopping. We have a private bus available for a full days sightseeing
and this can be done today or on another of the days in Delhi
at the end of the trip. The sightseeing would include the following
places:
| •
Qutab Minar, one of the first monuments of muslim
India dating from 1199. It is a minaret of red sandstone,
72.5 metres tall and decorated with inscriptions from the
Koran. |
 |
 |
•
Dilli Haat, located in the heart of Delhi, is a
food, handicrafts and cultural market. Designed with creative
planning that lends a traditional village flavour with stone
squares, flowers, plants and eucalyptus trees, Dilli Haat
is an oasis of colour and flavours where one can wander
at length. |
• The Lotus Temple: The Bahá’i Mashriqu’l-Adhkar,
better known as the Lotus Temple, has become one of the most visited
buildings in India. A marvel of modern arquitectura, it is built
in the form of a huge lotus flower, the symbol of purity and divinity,
and is surrounded by 10 hectares of spectacular gardens. Each
afternoon, at 17.15h, a prayer ceremony takes place that attracts
people from all religions.
Día 3. – 13th August: DELHI - HARIDWAR
Breakfast at the hotel. Early pick up from hotel to go
to Delhi Railway Station. Train to Haridwar. On arrival in Haridwar
the group will be taken in traditional rickshaws to the Hotel
Haveli Hari Ganga.
Haridwar
means “The Gates to God” and is 214kms north of Delhi. It is a
particularly sacred place for the hindus as the Har-ki-Pairi ghat
(literally “God’s footprint”) marks the place where the River
Ganges leaves the mountains. This is where Vishnu left his footprints
on the stone. Each evening, there is a spectacular religious ceremony,
the Ganga Arati, to celebrate the Goddess Ganga, the giver of
life, and which attracts thousands of people. Iluminated boats
come down river and the priests make rythmical movements, balancing
torches and accommpanied by drums and music.
Overlooking Haridwar and the valley, is the beautiful Mansa Devi
temple. This can be esaily accessed using the funicular railway.
Also in Haridwar is the extraordinary and modern Bharat Mata temple,
seven stories high, located 5kms north of Haridwar and dedicated
to “Mother India”.
| Día
4. – 14th August: HARIDWAR
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Visit places of interest in Haridwar.
Día
5. – 15th August: HARIDWAR - JOSHIMATH
Breakfast at the Hotel Haveli Hari Ganga. Transfer by coach
from Haridwar to Joshimath (280 Km.). Along the way the
group will stop to visit Rudraprayag at the confluence of
the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers. Accommodation will be
in Joshimath in the luxury Char Dham camp. Dinner at the
camp.
Día
6. – 16th August: JOSHIMATH - GHANGARIA
Breakfast at the Char Dham Camp. Early departure from Joshimath
to Govindghat, the starting point for the trek. From Govindghat
there is a gentle climae along a well cared for pilgrims
path which will take the group to the camp at Ghangaria
(14kms). From this camp day trips on foot can be made to
the Valley of Flowers and the Hem Kunt Sahib shrine. A picnic
lunch will be taken to be eaten on the way. On arrival in
Ghangaria the group will be taken to the luxury Sarovar
Camp. Dinner at the Camp.
Hem
Kunt Sahib is a “gurudwara” (or “gate to the guru”) which
is considered to be an important place of worship particularly
for the Sikhs.
|
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Día
7. – 17th August: GHANGARIA (visit to the Valley of Flowers)
Breakfast at the Camp. Afterwards there will be a 4kms trek from
Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers (altitude: 3858m). Free time
to enjoy this breathtaking landscape. Picnic lunch. Dinner and
accommodation at the Sarovar Camp
The
Valley of Flowers was discovered in 1931 by Frank Smythe who named
it after the numerous unique varieties of flowers and plants he
found there. The Valley is particularly spectacular at this time
of year, at the end of the monsoon.
Día
8. – 18th August: GHANGARIA – GOVINDGHAT - BADRINATH
Breakfast at the Sarovar Camp before trekking on foot to
Govindghat (14kms). Picnic lunch. Transfer by coach from
Govindghat to Badrinath. Dinner and accommodation in the
luxury Sarovar Hotel at Badrinath.
Día
9. – 19th August: BADRINATH (visit to the Temple)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the famous Badrinath temple.
Lunch and dinner ath the Hotel.
In
Badrinath (“Lord of the berries”) is the most popular of
the 4 main hindu temples founded by Shankara in the 9th
century. The temple is made of wood and it’s bright colours
make it easily visible from anywhere around.
Día
10. – 20th August: BADRINATH - RISHIKESH
Breakfast in the Hotel Sarovar. Transfer by coach to the
spiritual town of Rishikesh (300 km.). Arrive in the afternoon
at the Rishikesh Valley resort where the group will enjoy
a 5 day Spiritual Retreat guided by Swamiji. Dinner and
accommodation at the Rishikesh Valley resort.
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Días
11 a 15. – 21st to 25th August: RISHIKESH (5 Day Spiritual Retreat)
During these 5 days the group will take part in a Spiritual Retreat
led by Swamiji. There will be a minimum of 4 hours of yoga and
exercises every day, daily meditations, vedic philosophy teachings,
group activities and individual time with Swamiji. Time will also
be spent enjoying the beautiful surroundings, walking and visiting
places of interest in Rishikesh. The accommodation at the Rishikesh
Valley resort includes all meals (morning tea, breakfast, lunch,
afternoon tea and dinner) and an Ayurvedic massage for each person.
Día
16. – 26th August: RISHIKESH – HARIDWAR – DELHI
Breakfast at the Rishikesh Valley resort and free time in the
morning. Early lunch, also at the resort, before a coach transfer
to Haridwar railway station. Transfer in train to Delhi. Dinner
on the train. On arrival in Delhi the group will be transferred
to the Hotel Grand Peepal.
Día
17. – 27th August: DELHI
Breakfast at the Hotel Grand Peepal. Free day for exploring Delhi,
shopping or doing the tourist route if this was not done at the
beginning of the trip.
Día
18. – 28th August: DELHI
Breakfast at the Grand Peepal. Free day for exploring Delhi, shopping
etc.
Día
19. – 29th August: DELHI – MADRID
Coach transfer to Delhi Internacional Airport for flight back
to Madrid.
PRICE
PER PERSON: 1600,00€ (flights not included)
The
price includes:
• Accommodation during 18 nights on a twin sharing basis.
• International airport transfers by private coach or taxi (as
long as everyone arrives on the same flight. Anyone arriving on
a separate flight will have an increase of 25€ to the total price)
• Transfers to Delhi and Haridwar railway stations with porters
included.
• Meals as per itinerary.
• Private coach for all transfers after Haridwar.
• Porters at the railway stations and on the treking routes.
• One full day of sightseeing in Delhi.
The
price does NOT include:
• International flights between Spain and Delhi nor any domestic
flights that may be necessary in Spain.
• Visa application costs.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Personal expenses (drinks, washing service, ‘phone calls etc).
• Tips and donations.
• Any other cost due to illness, hospitalisation, medical attention,
natural disasters, flight cancellations etc, or any other eventuality
not covered by the indivivual’s personal insurance.
• Any other expense that has not been included in the Itinerary.
BOOKING CONDITIONS:
The total price of the trip (not including flights) is 1600,00€
per person.
On booking, a downpayment of 600,00€ must be made.
The final date for confirming is 15th June 2010. Any bookings
made after this date cannot be guaranteed the same price.
The
remaining money, 1000,00€, must be transferred by 30th July 2010.
Bank
Details:
Bank: BBVA
Account holder: GEORGINA MANUELA GRAVES
Account: 0182 2900 51 0201617455
The
booking must be confirmed by email, giving your full name, address,
‘phone number, date of birth and a scanned copy of your passport.
Email address: info@swamipurohit.com
IMPORTANT:
In
the case of cancellation, there will be no costs incurred as long
as the booking is cancelled before 30th June 2010. Alter this
date we will have begun to make payments for hotels, tranpsort
etc and the cancellation costs will be calculated according to
what we have paid ourselves. Nearer the date of the trip the cost
of cancellation will obviously be greater. After 30th July 2010
it will not be possible to return any money.
The
prices have been calculated based on a group of 15 to 20 people.
If we do not get this minimum required number, the costs will
have to be re-calculated.
FLIGHTS:
The flights are not included in the trip due to the impossibilty
of making a pre-booking for the month of August, as it is high
season. The flights between Madrid and Delhi in August are currently
costing around 700€ per person return (taxes included). It is
important to realise that the flights and taxes increase as the
date of travel gets nearer, so those who wish to go on the trip
should not delay in confirming with us so that we can get the
best deal.
We can book the flights for those who wish us to. This way we
can guarantee that the group travels together, which reduces the
cost of airport transfers and is easier in general for everyone.
The dates may vary slightly according to flight availablity. Any
such change would be consulted with the group before being confirmed.
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
• In order to apply for a visa you must have a passport that will
be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A visa
is obligatory for entry into India.
• The Itinerary may be subject to small changes at any time. It
is important to bear in mind that in India things are not carried
out with the same discipline and organisation as in Europe! The
weather may also cause last minute changes, particularly as our
trip comes towards the end of the monsoon season. We have tried
to plan for all possible eventualities and for this reason we
have chosen luxury accommodation in order to reduce the chance
of unexpected problems. However, we are not responsable for changes
or cancellations casued by weather conditions.
• The treks in the Himalayas are optional. If anyone does not
feel up to going or prefers not to, they can stay in the camp/accommodation.
• Money can be changed from euros to rupees in Delhi on the first
day. Credit cards can also be used in many establishments but
care should be taken never to lose sight of the card and it is
advisable not to have a high credit limit.
• Shoes cannot be worn inside the Temples and sacred places. We
recommend taking a pair of socks so as not to enter barefoot.
It is also necessary to cover arms, legs and head, so a scarf
is also useful.
• Mobile ‘phones: We recommend you consult with your mobile company
about the price of calls and text messages while in India as they
can be extremely high. It is perhaps better to take to India an
unlocked mobile (or buy one there) and use an Indian SIM card.
In this way, calls can be made freely between members of the group
with minimum cost.
• Clothing should be loose fitting, confortable and of light colours.
Footwear should also be comfortable. A light raincoat, such as
a cagoule, is also recommended.
HEALTH
ADVICE:
• It is not obligatory to have vaccinations before travelling
to India but it is recommended, especially for those travelling
to the country for the first time. It is wise to consult with
your doctor about the options available.
• Only bottled water should be drunk and even used for clearing
your teeth. We also recommend avoiding ice cubes, raw vegetables
and salads and always peel any fruit.
• Mosquito repellent is advised as, in India, these insects can
cause disease. Sun cream is also important.
• We suggest taking a small first aid kit that should incluye
products for treating diarrhea.
VISA:
• A visa is obligatory for entry into India. In Spain, the visa
must be obtained from the Indian Embassy in Madrid. Link
to the Indian Embassy
Information-Bookings:
info@swamipurohit.com
www.swamipurohit.com
Tel: 627 957833
Please
call only from Monday to Friday between 10am to 3pm and 5pm to
8pm (Spanish time)
