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North India Spiritual Yoga Journey
Tour Details
The purpose of this North India Spiritual journey is to provide travellers with an introduction to the ancient Spiritual traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout North India, whilst at the same time undertaking Yoga Teacher training modules entirely focused on Classical Yoga and Ayurveda for Self realisation with Celia Roberts from The Biomedical Institute of Yoga & Meditation in Brisbane.
The journey begins in the capital of India, New Delhi. After a few days exploring this ancient capital, we head south to Agra to visit the majestic Taj Mahal, an essential stop on any North Indian itinerary. Next, we head up to the foothills of the mighty Himalayas to Rishikesh – the home of Yoga, based on the Ganges River. Here you will immerse into your yoga retreat training at the wonderful Dewa Retreat.
After feeling rejuvenated from your yoga training, we head to the Holy Hindu city of Varanasi, also situated on the Ganges River. Here we explore all there is to offer in this incredible ancient city, including visiting temples and ashrams. We will explore the town of Sarnath, where Lord Buddha held his first sermon and dharma teaching. Then continue to Bodhgaya, where Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Lastly, we head to the former British capital of Kolkata in West Bengal, known as the “City of Joy” a melting pot of cultures and home to some incredible ancient temples.
Yoga Teacher – Celia Roberts – Biyome
Celia Roberts BSc.
The Founder and Director of BIYOME – The BioMedical Institute of Yoga & Meditation. Deeply inspired to bring the research behind Yoga, Ayurveda and Meditation into experiential practice, Celia has taught and trained thousands of teachers in the last decade to the highest educational standards. Her practice is innovative and explanatory, exploring alongside her students the intricate study of yoga, including how to use the ancient Vedic sciences to explore the deeper aspects of consciousness in an evidenced-informed way. Join Celia on this holy pilgrimage tour – A complete living, breathing intensive meditation in itself – visiting ashrams and sacred sites along the way, whilst engaging in BIYOME’s 350-hour Yoga and Ayurveda intensive teacher training program.This is truly a unique opportunity to practice yoga with Celia in a country such as India.
NB: This is a Private Group Tour – Celia from BIYOME is travelling on this tour, with her group of students who are undertaking a Yoga Teacher Training Programme. This training is a separate cost to the Yoga Dept Tour Package and billed by Celia from Biyome.Tour Itinerary
5 & 6 January
ARRIVE DEHLI
Delhi, India’s capital city a hub of history and culture. In Old Delhi, a neighborhood dating to the 1600s, stands the imposing Mughal-era Red Fort, and the sprawling Jama Masjid mosque. Nearby is Chandni Chowk, a vibrant bazaar filled with food carts, sweets shops and spice stalls. Steeped in history yet overflowing with modern life, colorful, Delhi pulsates with the relentless rhythms of humanity like few other cities on earth.
- Group meet & greet at Delhi Indra Ghandi International airport
- Transfer to hotel in bus, check into our hotel , relax and early night
- Next morning 6am to 8:30am – Sadhana yoga class
- 9am breakfast and orientation meeting with your Group Tour leader
- Approx 11am sightseeing tour in around Delhi including Mahatma Gandhi memorial, Hama Masjid mosque and if time permits Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- 4:30pm to 6:30 pm yoga practice
- Dinner in our hotel
7 January
DELHI | AGRA - THE TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal - A magnificent mausoleum complex commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
- 6am – 8am Yoga before breakfast in Delhi
- After breakfast, departure in our group bus to Agra (approx 3hrs)
- Arrive check into hotel for lunch and rest
- 4.30 to 6.30pm Yoga practice
- If time permits guided walk to the Yummna River to see the Taj Mahal
- Back to hotel for dinner
8 January
AGRA
- At sunrise group entry into the Taj Mahal with local guide
- Back to hotel for breakfast
- Sightseeing tour of Agra. Including the majestic Agra Fort for magnificent views of the Taj Mahal
- 4.30 to 6.30pm Yoga practice
- Evening dinner & visit to cultural emporium
9 January
AGRA | RISHIKESH - Day of Travel
Rishikesh, based on the Ganges River at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. This town is renowned as a centre for studying yoga, meditation, and spiritual pursuits. We shall immerse in our yoga teachings, as well explore all the spiritual sites on offer at this beautiful location
- 6am – 8:30am Sadhana
- Breakfast 9am , Check out of hotel and transfer from Agra to Rishikesh in group bus
- Arrive & check into the beautiful Dewa Retreat
- If time permits evening yoga class
- Relax & dinner in hotel
10 - 15 January
RISHIKESH
Daily Schedule in Rishikesh
- 6am to 8:30am – daily sadhana
- Breakfast – 9:00 – 10:30am
- Sightseeing Time – apron 11:00 onwards
- Lunch – approx. 1pm or 2pm TBA on the day
- 4:30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- After Yoga Evening Arti on the Ganges & other events
- Dinner provided in hotel
Sightseeing Rishikesh
- Beatles Ashram – In Feb 1968, the Beatles travelled to Rishikesh to take part in a Transcendental Meditation (TM) training course at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The visit followed the group’s denunciation of drugs in favour of TM and received widespread media attention, today it is beautiful artistic museum.
- Visit of local Ashrams, Spiritual sights, and Hindu temples & markets
- Arti Ceremony on the Ganges River on most evenings
- Local easy trekking with local guide
- Ayruvedic massages and treatments (separate cost)
7 nights Rishikesh – Dewa Retreat
16 January
VARANASI - Day of Travel
Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the spiritual capital of North India. Located on the Ganges River, Hindu pilgrims from around the country believe to die in Varanasi ensures an end to the circle of re-birth or reincarnation. A truly spectacular town not to be missed on any journey to North India. They say just to witness Kashi or to be near the Sacred Rivers, is enough to remove all our worldly sins.
- 6am to 8:30am – daily sadhana
- Breakfast at 9am & depart Rishikesh in group bus to catch train back to Delhi followed by domestic flight to Varanasi
- Arrive Varanasi transfer to hotel check-in
- If time permits 4:30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- Dinner provided at hotel
17 January
VARANASI – THE HOLY CITY
Varanasi draws Hindu pilgrims and foreigners from around the world to experience this incredible city. Pilgrims bath in the Ganges sacred waters and perform funeral cremations. Also along the cities winding old city streets, are some 2000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the Golden Temple, dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva.
- Approx 6am to 8:30am – daily sadhana
- Group breakfast at 9am
- 11am sightseeing tour of the Old city laneways and local temples including a visit to the Kriya Yoga Ashram
- The group will return to the hotel either by boat or cycle rickshaws, a great experience for all
- Approx 4.30 to 6.00pm – yoga practice
- If time permits visit Shree Shree Anandamayee Sangha for Puja
- Evening witness the Arti ceremony on the ghats – Arti is a fire puja ceremony ritual devotion conducted by Hindu priest in worship to Mother Ganga
- Dinner at hotel
18 January
VARANASI | SARNATH – BUDDHISM
Sarnath is a place located 10 kms northeast of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna Rivers. Sarnath is where, circa 528 BCE, at 35 years of age, Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at BodhGaya
- Approx 6am Sunrise boat trip along the Ganges River
- Group breakfast back hotel apron 8am
- Approx 10am we head for a special sightseeing excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha first preached the 4 Noble Truths to his disciples in the 5th Century B.C. after reaching enlightenment in Bodhgaya
- Afternoon 4:30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- Dinner at hotel
Stay 3 nights in Varanasi
19 January
BODHGAYA - BUDDHISM
The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, Buddhist Stupa (temple) in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree 2500 years ago
- 6am to 8:30am – Daily sadhana
- 9am breakfast, then departure in group bus from Varanasi to Bodhgaya, the spiritual heartland of Buddhism and a major pilgrimage site for Buddhist pilgrims and Monks from around the world
(approx. 5 hr. drive) Stopping for Chai and samosas along the way
- Arrive check into hotel
- Afternoon 4:30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- Dinner at hotel
20 January
BODHGAYA – TEMPLE EXPLROING
- 6am to 8:30am – Daily sadhana followed by breakfast at 9am
- By 11am head out on a guided sightseeing tour of the vast array of including Buddhist temples spread around Bodhgaya
- Return to hotel for 4:30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- Sunset visit & evening meditation at the Mahabodhi temple
- Back to hotel for dinner
Stay 2 nights in Bodhgaya
21 January
BODHGAYA TO KOLKATA - THE CITY OF JOY
One of India’s most historic and cosmopolitan cities, Kolkata, once the capital of the British Raj, has been at the centre of activity of various civilisations. The city’s stunning architecture pays testament to its social, political, and cultural richness.
- 6am to 8:30am – Daily sadhana followed by breakfast at 9am
- Today depart Bodhgaya to Kolkata, via domestic flight
- Arrive Kolkata airport transfer to hotel
- 30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- Dinner at hotel
22 January
KOLKATA | BACK TO AUSTRALIA
- 6am to 8:30am – Daily sadhana followed by breakfast at 9am
- Check out and depart from Gaya airport for a flight to Kolkata.
- Arrive check into hotel and evening Visit Yogooda Satsanga Society of India and if time permits Paramahansa Yogaananda centre
- Lunch rest and 4:30 to 6.30pm – yoga practice
- Dinner at hotel check out and depart to airport evening flight back to Australia
Stay 1 night Kolkata, 1 late hotel check out (shared change rooms)
Book Your Tour
Desitnation
Room Type
Price
North India Spiritual Yoga Journey
January 5, 2025
Availability: 14 in stock
Availability: 14 in stock
For those who do not wish to pay for a single room, we automatically arrange same sex twin room sharing. You can also nominate the name of your room buddy in the booking form.
To reserve your spot on the tour, we require a 20% tour deposit.
Final Payment is due 2 months before Tour Departure Dates (we shall invoice you for the final payment).
Final Payment is due 2 months before Tour Departure Dates (we shall invoice you for the final payment).
Please review our terms & conditions for more information.
Things To Keep In Mind
What’s included
- All transport in Group private bus
- All group airport, & hotel pickup & transfers
- All hotels based on minimum 4* standard
- Meals – 2 per pay breakfast & dinner
- English speaking Tour Manager and local guides
- All sightseeing excursions & entrance fees
- Yoga classes
- Any train trips
- Domestic flights
- Australian Office Account Management
What not included
- International Airline tickets
- Single Rooms
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Tourist Visas
- Group Tip Kitty (approx $20 pp per day)
- Any Vaccinations
- Currency Exchange
- Any personal spending costs such as massages
- Any Yoga Teacher training courses paid separately to Yoga Teacher
Next Steps
Tourist Visas & Entry Requirements
The Yoga Department offers our travellers assistance with Tourist Visa processing Visas on Arrival Some countries do not require tourist visas in advance and allow what is called
Booking International Flights
The Yoga Department books its travelers on the same group flights We aim for our groups to arrive together on the same flight in the destination. This
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