This itinerary is being changed. We will now start our mountain trip in Shimla, after Delhi, and do the rest of the mountain trip in a reverse order up to day 22. Please disregard the first 22 dates below. A new itinerary will replace it soon.

OCT 4th DAY 01 Depart USA.

OCT 5th DAY 02 Arrive in New Delhi, India. Check into our hotel.

OCT 6th DAY 03 New Delhi: After breakfast, explore or tour New Delhi. In the afternoon, we will visit the magnificent Akshardham Temple and enjoy the movie Mystic India.

OCT 7th DAY 04 Rishikesh: Take an early morning first class train ride to the holy city of Haridwar. Visit Keshavanda’s Ashram. After lunch we will explore this ancient city before our afternoon visit to Shree Anandamoyi Ma’s Ashram and Samadhi Shrine. Next we will drive back to the Ganga for the evening Aarti. This sacred ceremony has been performed every evening for millennia. One hour drive to Rishikesh, check into hotel and have dinner together.

OCT 8th DAY 05 We will start our day with group meditation and chanting. The morning will be free to explore this ancient city or just to relax. In the afternoon, we will walk across the suspension bridge called Ram Joola to attend the enchanting evening Arati at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Here we will enjoy kirtan and worship of Mother Ganga under the stars. Return to our hotel.

OCT 9th DAY 06 We will begin each day with group energization and meditation. After breakfast we will take a scenic boat ride up the Ganga to a beautiful secluded forest for kirtan and meditation. The afternoon will be free to shop, visit Shivananda ashram, get Ayurvedic massage, or have your astrological chart done or just relax along the Ganga.

OCT 10th DAY 07 After group meditation and breakfast, we will explore the city and visit a newly built Kriya Yoga Temple located near Lakshman Jhula bridge. This temple is not YSS but has beautiful marble statues of our line of Gurus. Next we will cross the river and take a scenic walk on the ancient path where the pilgrims and sadhus have tread on their way to the high Himalayan shrines. We will return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation. Late that afternoon we will take drive to the city of Dehradun for satsanga and chanting with Swami Jnanananda. This kriya yogi walked from Switzerland to India to join the YSS order in 1952, shortly after Master’s passing. This is always a very uplifting evening. Return to hotel for dinner.

OCT 11th DAY 08 Our last day in Rishkesh will be free for relaxation or shopping. After dinner
we will cross the Ram Jhula bridge, and again enjoy the enchanting evening arti, on the banks of the Ganga.

OCT 12th DAY 09 Ganga River Camp: After breakfast we will take a short drive up the river to Vashishta Muni’s cave, the guru of Sri Ram. After meditating in the cave, we will go down by the river to the Christ Cave. This is where Jesus appeared to Papa Ram Das. The holy vibrations permeate these sacred places. Now, we will drive about one hour up the river to our beautiful Ganga River Camp. Here we will stay for the next three nights.

OCT 13th-14th DAYS 10 & 11 This beautiful camp is secluded but is very comfortable. Kick back and enjoy being pampered. We will have daily group energization and meditation. Every night we will have chanting under the stars or just sip a hot cup of chai after our delicious dinner. For the more adventurous, we offer river rafting, kayaking and trekking as some of your options.

OCT 15th Day 12 Pipal Koti: After breakfast, break camp and take a majestic drive up the river to Pipal Koti on our way to the Holy Himalayan Shrine of Badrinath. We will then check into our hotel, Udday Palace.

OCT 16th-17th DAYS 13 & 14 Badrinath: We will now proceed up the beautiful Himalayan’s to Badrinath or Badrinarayan. In the Autobiography, Paramahansa Yogananda mentions that this is the abode of our great guru Mahavatar Babaji. We will enjoy two lovely days here, visiting the holy shrines and caves of this area. We will check into the next beautiful hotel.

OCT 18th DAY 15 Pipal Koti: After our wonderful stay in this holy site, we will again drive to Pipal Koti for rest and relaxation. Stop at Joshimath and experience the cave where Shankaracharya achieved enlightenment. Overnight Udday Palace.

OCT 19th DAY 16 YSS Dwarahat Ashram: Today we will drive through the hills to our YSS Dwarahat Ashram. After some chai, enjoy group energization and meditation in this magical place, where Babaji’s presence is so powerful. Overnight Ashram.

OCT 20th DAY 17 Enjoy the peace and serenity of the ashram grounds or take short walks through the beautiful hills. After the evening meditation, enjoy the nightly satsang with Swami Nirvanananda.

OCT 21st DAY 18 After meditation and breakfast, we will take our sacred pilgrimage to Babaji’s cave in the beautiful foothills Drona Giri. This is where this sacred path of kriya yoga all began. After a day of bliss, we will return to the ashram for group meditation and chanting.

OCT 22nd DAY 19 This day is free to enjoy the ashram grounds or visit Ranikhet where Lahiri Mahashaya was stationed. He spent his free time wandering the foothills before his meeting with Babaji.

OCT 23rd DAY 20 Corbett Park: Today, after group meditation and breakfast, we will drive about five hours to the beautiful Corbett Park. We will check into the Rustic Quality Inn Lodge. This is an amazing place, with beautiful river rock accommodations. These rooms have sitting areas and fireplaces. In the afternoon, take an elephant ride into the jungle looking for the elusive Bengal tiger or just enjoy the spectacular setting. We will continue to have our group meditations and chanting.

OCT 24th DAY 21 This morning, we will take jeeps into the main preserve. There, we will ride elephants or jeeps into the jungle. You will see flora and fauna native to this area of India. On previous rides into the jungle, we have seen sambar deer, peacocks, wild boar, pythons, monitor lizards, alligators, wild elephants, king cobra and an occasional tiger.

OCT 25th DAY 22 New Delhi: After breakfast, we will depart drive to Delhi. Check into our hotel and have dinner.

OCT 26th DAY 23 Varanasi (Benaras): Today after breakfast, we will transfer to the domestic airport for our late morning departure on Kingfisher airlines to the Holy City of Benaras. Check into our hotel.

OCT 27th, 28th, 29th & 30th DAYS 24 thru 27 Varanasi is considered the city of Lord Shiva ‘the king of yogis’. We will rise at dawn and take an early morning boat ride on the holy Ganges. As the morning Sun rises over this holy river, you will hear the ancient sounds of priests performing their pujas and rituals. The sound of bells and conch shells waft through the air in the distance, beckoning your soul to join in the worship of the Lord. We will stop at Hanuman bathing ghat for those who would like to take their holy dip in the Ganges. For many, the dip in this sacred river is a highlight. Feel the magic of these sacred waters. You will then know why it is worshiped as a form of Divine Mother each night. Next we will return to the hotel for breakfast. After lunch we will visit the inspiring Shiva Temple and grounds at the Hindu University of Benaras. The next morning we will take a boat up the river to visit Lahiri Mahashaya’s home and Satya Lok the ashram of Lahiri’s Grandson. After breakfast, we will take a short drive to Sarnath and Deer Park, the site of Buddha’s first sermon after his enlightenment. We also have lots of free time for shopping and exploring in Varanasi.

This concludes the Mountain Portion. Those returning home will be flying back to Delhi. In the evening of the 30th we will transfer to International airport for our return flight to America, arriving home on Oct 31st. If you are arranging your own international flight, please book yours accordingly.

OCT 30th DAY 27 Kolkata: Take an evening flight to Kolkata (Calcutta), India. Met by representative and transferred to Dakshineswar YSS Ashram.

OCT 31st DAY 28 Start the day at the Dakshineswar YSS Ashram doing morning group energization and meditation, followed by breakfast. In the morning, we will take a short walk to the famous Kali Temple mentioned in the Autobiography of a Yogi (A of Y). This is where Mother Kali appeared to Guruji. We will then visit Ramakrishna’s room, a great place to meditate. In the afternoon we will be visiting a few of the temporary temples built in every block of Calcutta for the annual worship of Mother Kali and watching the singing and dancing as they immerse the images into the Ganga. Return to Ashram every night in Kolkata for meditation, dinner and sleeping.

NOV 1st DAY 29 During this day we will visit Mother Teresa’s home and charity where her body lies and drive to Master’s first meditation hall. This is where Guruji danced in ecstasy. Next door is the home of Tulsi Bose, the boyhood friend of Yogananda’s. After a short visit, we will walk around the corner to the to the Shrine of the Levitating Saint, mentioned in the A of Y, We hope to follow this with an afternoon lunch at Bishnu Gosh’s Yoga Center, the nephew of Sri Yoganananda.The highlight of the day is our visit to Guruji’s boyhood home (4 Gurpar Road) and meditate in the sacred attic where he found God.

NOV 2nd DAY 30 Immediately after breakfast, we will take a beautiful, scenic boat ride up the Ganges to Serampore. Here we will stroll down Rai Ghat lane, the same walk taken by Master and Sri Yukteshwar each morning to take their dip in the Ganges. At this ghat (bathing place), Mahavatar Babaji appeared, under the banyan tree to Sri Yukteshwar, after the completion of his Holy Science. We will chant and meditate at Sri Yukteshwar’s ashram and visit his family home. Now, we will walk a short distance to Ananda Lok, where Guruji lived while attending Serampore College. Return by boat to Dakshineswar Ashram.

NOV 3rd DAY 31 Bhubaneswar: After breakfast, we will transfer to the domestic airport, for a short flight to the city of Bhubaneswar, the temple city of India. Visit many temples and ancient Jain cave dwellings built over two thousand years ago. Overnight in beautiful hotel in Bhubaneswar.

NOV 4th DAY 32 Puri: Enjoy lunch before taking a two hour coach ride to the lovely city of Puri. We will check into a beautiful resort on the beach. The afternoon will be free for rest and relaxation by the beautiful pool or just stroll along the shore of the Bay of Bengal. We will have an evening group meditation, followed by dinner in their beautiful restaurant.

NOV 5th thru NOV 6th DAYS 33 & 34 Over the next few days we will spend our time visiting Sri Yukteshwar’s Puri Ashram, the holy Jaganath Temple and drive to the famous Konark Sun Temple. We will also have plenty of time for enjoying this beautiful resort located on the sands of the Bay of Bengal and have daily group meditations on the beach each morning.

NOV 7th DAY 35 We will enjoy the day at the resort before transferring to the Puri train station for overnight train ride to Ranchi.

NOV 8th DAYS 36 Ranchi: Upon arrival at the train station, transfer to the YSS Ranchi Ashram. Check into hotel. The day is free to visit the YSS Ashram, Ranchi or just relax and enjoy the hotel.

NOV 9th thru 15th DAY 37-43 Attend Sharad Sangam (YSS Convocation). Spend the entire week in daily meditation, kirtans and lectures and satsangs with the YSS monks. This is the highlight of our pilgrimage.

NOV 16th DAY 44 New Delhi: Take an afternoon flight to New Delhi. Check into hotel and have dinner.

NOV 17th DAY 45 Day free for shopping and sightseeing in Delhi, before going to the International Airport..

NOV 18th DAY 46 Fly home, arriving in San Diego in the morning, and start dreaming of India.

Optional Taj Mahal Add-On:

NOV 17th DAY 45 Agra: Early morning drive to Agra where we stay at the four star Jay Pee Palace Hotel and enjoy the afternoon on your own.

NOV 18th DAY 46 Early morning visit to the eighth wonder of the world, the spectacular Taj Mahal. Return to hotel for breakfast and morning departure for Delhi. If time permits, we will visit the holy city of Brindaban and Mathura the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Late afternoon arrive in New Delhi for dinner before our departure to the International Airport.

NOV 19th DAY 47 Fly home, arriving in San Diego in the morning, and start dreaming of India.