The Journey

This pilgrimage offers spiritual seekers from all paths an opportunity to tread the paths that have been laid down by yogis and sages throughout centuries and experience the sacred energies of these majestic mountains that uplift the soul and recharge spiritual endeavour.

This trek will take you from Rishikesh to Tapovan, which is a vast meadow surrounded by mountain peaks and nestled at the base of Shivaling mountain, it is one of the most beautiful and breath-taking places imaginable. It is here that Ganga (known as Akash or Sky Ganga) begins her descent . This sacred place is where yogis, seers and rishis have performed spiritual practices since time immemorial.

Join us for a unique opportunity to deepen you own spiritual practices, meditation and consciousness.

Ticket

!!EARLY BIRD PRICE!!! (until 14 April 2019): 2500 NZD

- Pay 500 NZD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot

- Pay remaining 2000 NZD by end of March 2019

FULL PRICE: 2995 NZD

Itinerary

Day 1 – May 27th:

Rishikesh. Introduction to the pilgrimage with fire ceremony and celebratory meal

Day 2 – May 28th:
Yoga, kriya, meditation and satsang with Shailendra Negi, a Vedic yogi
Shivananda Kutir – experience the special vibrations of the sacred abode of one of India’s most famous saints
Rafting Ganga – experience the thrill of the sacred waters of India’s holiest river

Day 3 – May 29th:
Vashista Gufa – an ancient cave where sages have meditated for thousands of years
Ganga Aarathi & Yajna- ancient rituals & worship of Ganga at Parmath Niketan

Day 4 – May 30th:
Ananda Mayi Ma’s Mahasamadhi (tomb) – Ma was a famed woman saint known for her blissful states
Tat Wallah Baba Cave – explore the cave ashram of this revered yogi

Day 5 – May 31st:
Travel to Uttakashi – known as the Valley of the Gods, an ancient centre for yogis and rishis. Visit the Vishwanath
temple and enjoy talks and satsang with Aadinath Swaroop, a learned teacher.

Day 6 – June 1st:
To Ganganani and Gangotri – Stop for a hot bath at a natural spring. At Gangotri we will visit the temple to Mother
Ganga and experience the rich cultural heritage of this region.

Days 7&8 – June 2nd & 3rd: Gangotri
A unique opportunity to spend time with Swami Sundarananda considered to be one of the great yogi Himalayan Masters, who has mastered
all the yoga postures and pranayamas and is a famous photographer and mountaineer. He has chronicled his devotion to the natural beauty of
the Himalayas in his gallery. There will be an opportunity to share in meditation with Swamij and to visit Bhakti, a woman saint who lives in a
cave. A devotee of Hanuman. She has spent 14 years of unbroken sadhana living in the Himalayas. Explore the Pandava Cave, which is
famed as the abode of the 5 Pandava brothers described in the Indian classic – The Mahabharata.

Day 9 – June 4th:
3 & half hour trek (or pony) Gangotri to Chirbhasa – experience the beauty and majesty of the Ganga river valley

Day 10- June 5th:
2 & half hour trek (or pony) Chirbhasa to Bhojvasa – enchanting views of the Bhagirathi peaks. Kirtan with Nirmala
Das who has been practising kundalini yoga and samadhi since 1987

Day 11- June 6th:
Bhojvasa to Tapovan – .Trolly car takes us across Ganga and we climb up to a beautiful alpine meadow at the base of
Shivaling mountain.

Days 12 to 14 – June 7th – 9th:
Tapovan: Immerse yourself in the sacred silence of a place where centuries of spiritual seekers have
come to experience the oneness. Have satsang and meditation sessions with Nagadas, who has lived there in silence
for over 10 years and Sri Anand, a swami who recently came out of silence to share his wisdom with spiritual seekers

Day 15 – June 10th:
Trek back (or pony) to Gangotri

Day 16 – June 11th:
Gangotri to Rishikesh

Day 17 – June 12th:
Rishikesh early morning closing fire ceremony

To ensure a deep and fulfilling experience, this pilgrimage is limited to a small number of spiritual seekers.

Key Information

27th May – 12th June

This pilgrimage will be demanding both in terms of spiritual practice and the nature of the trek at high altitude. The trek is considered moderate to difficult so good health and a high level of fitness is required.

Tour price & confirmation

Tour prices are quoted in $NZ.
New Zealand GST (Goods & Services Tax) of 15% is included in tour costs.
Payment of $500 confirms your booking and acknowledges your agreement to our terms and conditions.
Terms of business are by prepayment of all journey costs.

An instalment plan is available if required.

Balance of fare
The balance of tour price is due to Kawai Purapura 60 days before the journey starts. If the full journey price is not received by this date we reserve the right to cancel your tour and retain the deposit. Journey reservations can be made within 60 days provided full payment is made at time of booking.

Cancellation policy
Cancellation fees depend on when Kawai Purapura receives notification of a cancellation:

Deposit is non-refundable but transferable at the discretion of Kawai Purapura management

Bookings cancelled between 59 days and 45 days 50% of tour cost.

Bookings cancelled between 44 days and 31 days 75% of tour cost.
Bookings cancelled within 30 days or less of tour departure 100% of tour cost.
No refunds will be made after travel has commenced.

Journey payment

Direct Bank Transfer:

Please make your payment including all bank charges and transfer fees to

Account name: The Prema Charitable Trust
Account No. 12-3110-0069782-01
SWIFT CODE: ASBBNZ2A

Note: Payments for deposits or journey balances can be made into local bank accounts in the US, UK and Australia, in your own currency with no additional fees.

We accept payment by Visa or Mastercard. Payment made by Visa or Mastercard may incur additional fees.

Accommodation and activities

Accommodation is on a twin share basis for guest houses and hotels. An upgrade to single accommodation is available. Camping accommodation on the Himalayan Journey is on a single basis.

Occasionally Kawai Purapura may need to make a variation to the journey or accommodation. This accommodation will be of the same standard or best available alternative. If an included activity is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, Kawai Purapura will provide an alternative activity of a similar standard. Kawai Purapura reserves the right to amend/alter an itinerary where necessary.

Meals

All breakfasts and celebratory dinner on Day 1 included. All meals provided on Camping expeditions. Lunch and Dinner are the responsibility of the participants on all other instances.

Documentation
The client(s) is/are responsible for the acquisition of passports and appropriate visas, where necessary. We recommend that such documents, as required by governments, are finalised at least six (6) weeks prior to the date of departure.

Refund
Please note that no refund shall be made for any unused portion of any itinerary. Any alteration to the journey, made by a client(s), shall be wholly at the expense of that client(s).

Use of Imagery
Kawai Purapura reserves the right to use photographs or videos taken during tours for promotional purposes. The may include, but is not limited to use online, in printed material or at public events.

Sacred Journey to the Mystical Himalayas / 27 May - 12 June 2019 (17 days)