JOURNEY TO THE SOURCE
Himalayan Yoga Retreat 2016
16 Days (Thurs 22nd Sept - Sat 8th Oct)
Join a sacred yoga journey to the glacier at very source of the holy River Ganges in the Himalayas, followed by a restorative and blissful Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges. You can also choose to visit the Taj Mahal as an optional add-on.
We invite you to experience yoga at its source with Mandy and Robert from Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre - yogis with decades of experience practicing, teaching and guiding students in Hatha and Raja Yoga.
We have travelled to India over many years and many times - to immerse ourselves in the spiritual traditions of yoga.
For the last decade we have taken groups of students to India, guiding them safely to experience some of the most spiritual and sublime landscapes on the continent, and taking them to the centres of the great saints and masters.
Each India retreat is unique, and we never repeat an itinerary or program. This means that you will only have one chance in your lifetime to do this program in India with us!
JOURNEY TO THE SOURCE
Our ‘Journey to the Source’ retreat starts in New Delhi. You may wish to arrive early and partake in a 2 day sidetrip to the Taj Mahal. Details are below.
From Delhi we start our journey by train travelling to Rishikesh at the foothills of the Himalayas, a city known for its yogis, saints, sadhus and mystics - all drawn to this powerful, spiritual centre which is home to many ashrams.
Our private retreat centre is upstream fro Rishikesh right on the banks of the Ganges and next to a waterfall inhabited by glowing fireflies. We practice yoga in an open air studio space and on a flat white-sand private beach where we take daily sacred dips in the river. We can leave bags and anything we dont need for the following 5 days.
From Rishikesh we journey deeper, higher into the Himalayas, travelling in luxry SUVs. There are no hotels here, but there are luxury camp sites established for pilgrims visiting the holy sites of the Himalayas.We begin the walking component of our journey at Gangotri, which is bustling with pilgrims, sages and sadhus who have journeyed here to pay homage at the source of the Ganges. The spiritual intensity of Gangotri, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, is palpable as you witness the daily puja at the temple and the Hindu devotees bathing at the water’s edge.
Over 4 days we trace the holy rivers through the Himalayas, walking through gentle green terrain and meadows which quickly becomes more remote and mountainous as we get closer to the glacier at the very source of the Ganges. This is truly a power centre which has drawn yogis and pilgrims to it for thousands of years.
On the walk to GaumukhGlacier (Cow’s mouth), you will see water gushing out of a snout-like opening and towering rocks and the thick chunks of hardened ice of the glacier. Here you can catch a glimpse of sadhus taking a dip here as part of their penance as it is believed that a dip in these holy waters washes away one’s sins.
We journey back to Rishikesh where we return to our comfortable, private retreat centre for an immersive 5 day program of yoga and meditation going deep into the wisdom practices of the masters. The program includes visits to sacred sites and evening aratis at ashrams.
From Rishikesh we travel the short distance to Haridwar for an evening arati program by the river attended by many thousands of people. We retreat to the ashram of the great saint Ananda Mayi Ma where we spend a night cocooned in the warm embrace of her enduring spirit. The next day we take a private coach to Delhi where our retreat concludes.
YOGA AND MEDITATION
Everyday of our journey there are early morning guided meditation, pranayama and yoga sessions - even during our walk. We end everyday with yoga and meditation as well. There is also plenty of time for informal mentoring with Robert and Mandy during our amble to the glacier. During our stay in Rishikesh our program includes a greater component of dedicated yoga allowing you the time and space to go deeper into the practices.
PRE REQUISITE
A reasonable level of fitness is required for the walking component of this retreat. The walking is not too arduous and is mainly quite comfortable. We will have porters and mules to carry most of our bags, equipment etc. so you will only need to carry a small backpack with personal items in it.
WHO CAN COME
Numbers are limited to 16 participants with priority given to students who have an interest in the more spiritual practices of yoga.
BOOKINGS
If you are interested please mark these dates in your calendar and also be in touch with us directly to book. A deposit secures your place.
COST
The cost of this retreat is $3,000 (earlybird - if paid by 1st May)
or $3,300 (to be paid by 1st July).
An $800 deposit is required on booking.
The cost includes all expenses in India including: transfers, transport (trains, buses, domestic flight); accommodation; all meals; all trekking permits and fees; yoga tuition. From this, we also donate amounts of money to local ashrams, community groups and others providing social and environmental welfare. We also encourage our participants to be generous as well.
The cost doesn’t include international airfares (approx $1000 from Australia), insurance, visas and other associated costs. You may also wish to shop, buy additional food, souvenirs, clothes, make donations, additional gratuities etc at your own cost). We also visit the marketplace in Rishikesh and ask participants to purchase mala beads and a meditation shawl (if they don’t have these items).
OPTIONAL ADD ON TOUR TO TAJ MAHAL, AGRA
2 nights – 22/9-24/9
Arrive two days early to take part in a side trip to the Taj Mahal with tour participants. The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most romantic sites and a visit to this beautiful memorial is a magical, once in a lifetime experience! To provide our participants with the opportunity to visit Agra and to experience the Taj Mahal at dawn before the crowds arrive we have asked our travel agent to organise a group tour prior to the retreat for anyone who is interested.
TAJ MAHAL COST
Agra Tour Cost: $380
Includes:
One night’s accommodation at 4 star hotel, with breakfast and dinner)
Twin share rooms (share with other participant of same gender on tour)
All transfer and sightseeing by A/C vehicle as per above tour.
One night stay at hotel Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Agra (4 star, with breakfast included)
All sightseeing in Agra by local English speaking guide.
Tour manager for the entire tour.
All monument entry fees.
All toll tax, state tax, parking, fuel and driver allowances.
Service tax.
Doesn’t include: lunch or dinner at Agra which is at participant’s own expense.
EXTRA NIGHTS AT OUR DELHI HOTEL
You may wish to come early or stay on after the tour to explore Delhi. You are welcome to book extra nights.
The cost of any additional nights at the beginning and/or end of the Yoga Retreat is $105 per person if sharing - we will match participants travelling alone with someone of the same gender if we can. If you require a single room the cost is $190. This includes breakfast and dinner.
Book or enquire online: http://