Confirmed dates for this trip: Monday November 11th – Sunday November 24th

We will embark on a transformative journey to the heart of yoga, inviting a select group of students to join us on a two-week immersion in Northern India. Our mission is to inspire, connect, and empower individuals through the practice of the 8 limbs of yoga, fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and a deeper sense of community.

Our commitment is to engage with sacred spaces for self-discovery, embracing the rich traditions of yoga in the land of its origin. We aim to guide our participants on a holistic path of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

As we explore the diverse landscapes and absorb the energy of this ancient land, our mission is to cultivate a supportive community where every participant feels seen, heard, and uplifted. Through daily yoga practice, and shared experiences, we seek to create lasting connections that extend beyond the borders of our journey.

We are dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation for the local culture, respecting the traditions of the communities we encounter, and promoting sustainable and responsible travel. Our mission extends beyond the physical practice of yoga, aiming to instil a sense of mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude that participants can carry with them long after the journey concludes.

Join us on this transformative adventure as we embrace the spirit of yoga across Northern India. Together, let’s create memories, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

I am really looking forward to leading a new yoga trip to India at the end of 2024. My fellow yoga teacher Milan Magan and I are inviting a small group of intrepid yogis (5-8 people) from New Zealand to Northern India, the original heartland of yoga.

This trip will be a full immersion yoga experience, and it will be the sixth India yoga trip I have led, and the sixteenth time I’ve traveled through India. Milan has also visited India many times and completed his teacher training in Mysore, South India.

We will practice daily asana and meditation, visit sacred places for darshan (viewing sacred sites and entities), eat amazing vegetarian food, and visit some extraordinary places. India is a wild ride and going with a group of like-minded people can really make it a memorable experience.

What makes this trip special is that we incorporate the 8 limbs of yoga, which will help us to detox, reset, and deepen our practice.

Yamas – The group will abstain from consuming meat and alcohol and will step out of Western mindsets of material and emotional attachments
Niyamas – Personal observances include clean living, practicing contentment, self-discipline, self-study and spiritual immersion
Asanas – Physical postures both as morning practice and stretches during and after long walks
Pranayama– Control of the breath and mind, as well as learning mantras to suit specific locations
Pratyahara – Plenty of personal down time for quiet rest and withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – Deepened focus on a variety of beautiful sacred experiences
Dhyana – Guided meditation throughout the trip
Samadhi – Superconscious states that happen when we immerse ourselves fully in the present in divine locations

The five main locations of the trip are:

HARIDWAR & RISHIKESH

After leaving Delhi, our first stop is Haridwar, a famous holy town with hilltop views, sacred bathing sites and a bustling bazaar. We will be based in a beautiful peaceful ashram on the edge of the Ganga – the northern tributary of the river Ganges. We will also visit Maya Devi Temple – a spectacular wish-fulfilling temple.

We will then move on to a few nights in Rishikesh, the ‘Yoga Capital’ of the world. Rishikesh is not only naturally beautiful; it is also jam packed with shops filled with musical instruments, precious stone malas, health food products, yoga clothing, ayurvedic treatments and much more. We will trek to JhilMil and visit the amazing Kali Cave and immerse ourselves in the many wonders of the area.

We will then catch an overnight train to the breathtaking city of Varanasi and explore to the excitement of this ancient place.

Finally, we will head to Barsana, the rural resting place of Ali’s Guruji, Ravananad Saraswati where we will experience the simplicity of rural life. We will also visit in the holy town of Vrindavan and partake in a parikrama (circumambulation) of the town.

These 14 days of yoga cost $2950 and includes:

15 nights accommodation (including the first night in Delhi)
Morning yoga and guided meditation with two qualified yoga teachers
Light breakfast, tasty beverages like chai and lassi and full sit-down vegetarian lunches or dinners daily
Transport costs around India during itinerary (trains, taxis, auto rickshaws)
Guided walks to exciting locations and sacred destinations, with plenty of interesting local knowledge along the way
Liaising with and guiding yogis prior to and during the trip
Gifts for each person that will enhance the adventure
Donations to sadhus and selected local families

This trip does not include:

Airfares (around $1700 return), online India visa ($50), immunizations (not compulsory), or travel insurance (optional)
Hotels or expenses outside the set itinerary
Personal spending money

For more information please contact Ali

FB https://www.facebook.com/alihale.tilley.9/

E: nzyogacentre@gmail.com

PH: 06 327 4108

ITINERARY OUTLINE

Confirmed dates for this trip: Monday November 11th – Sunday November 24th

Leave NZ on Saturday 9th and arrive in Delhi Sunday 10th. Fly out from Delhi Sunday evening November 24th or stay on and enjoy the wonderful sights of India and choose your own time to fly home.

Day 0 – arrive in New Delhi and settle into the hotel. We will get together as a group for shared discussion and getting to know each other.

Day 1– leave New Delhi for Haridwar on the morning train (5 hours train). Arrive at accommodation and settle in.

Group lunch in Haridwar town 1 pm
Your first afternoon between 2-5 pm is free to explore Haridwar
Late afternoon yoga class overlooking the Ganga (Milan)
Guided meditation – Ganga Darshan (Ali)
Group bonding exercise – Circle of Trust (Ali & Milan)
Evening meal together (optional)

Day 2 – Haridwar excursion

Morning yoga (Milan)
Breakfast
Visit Maya Devi Mandir, Bhairav Mandir, and Bhairav Ghat
Satsang and guided meditation (Ali)
Explore and have lunch at the Main Bazaar
Walk along the riverfront and ghats and visit the famous Hakipauri Ghat
Afternoon is free for your own adventures

Day 3 – Manasa Devi excursion

Ganga snan/ holy bath in the river to cleanse away all old karma (Ali)
Morning Yoga (Milan)
Breakfast
Manasa Devi walk (Ali & Milan)
Group meditation at Manasa Devi Mandir (Ali)
Lunch
Group team building activity

Day 4 – Leave Haridwar and stay in Rishikesh

Morning yoga (Milan)
Morning meditation and group satsang (Ali)
Breakfast
Check out of accommodation and head to Rishkikesh
Afternoon off to explore Rishikesh – you may book an Ayurvedic treatment, go shopping, or book a bungy jump.
Meet up again as a group at 5 pm
Evening river darshan and Gratitude Circle
Evening dinner together as a group

Day 5 – Rishikesh

Morning yoga (Collaborative/ Partner Yoga)
Breakfast
JhilMil excursion via Neelkantheshwar Mahadev Mandir (Ali)
Stretch en route (Milan)
Group lunch
Evening group discussion (Milan and Ali)

Day 6 – Explore from Ram Jula to Luxman Jula as group

Morning yoga (Milan)
Breakfast
Check out of accommodation, store bags and explore Rishikesh as a group
Group lunch
Leave Rishikesh by taxi and go to Haridwar early evening to catch the overnight train
Everyone is free to journal and to rest on the 20-hour train journey.

Day 7– Arrive Varanasi evening, arrive at accommodation and settle in

Milan and Ali back on duty to organise taxis to accommodation.
Settle into our rooms, then meet again for a big evening meal
Shared reflections on the trip (optional)

Day 8 – Explore Varanasi and evening aarti

Morning yoga (Milan)
Explore the Water Temple, winding back streets, Kali fort and enjoy a peaceful meditation (Ali)
Group lunch and delicious lassi
Evening meditation
Attend aarti ceremony (Ali)

Day 9 – Boat trip and northern Varanasi

Morning yoga (Milan)
Morning meditation on the smashan (Ali)
Breakfast
Boat trip and group lunch
Explore the northern parts of Varanasi
Evening Yin Yoga (Kelley)

Day 10- Half day off to explore Varanasi

Rest day from yoga and group activities so we can personally reflect on the journey
Check out of rooms at noon and store luggage at hotel
Gather together at hotel foyer for 1 pm lunch (buy provisions for train to Mathura)

Day 11 – Arrive Mathura/ Barsana morning

Taxi from Mathura train station to Barsana
Check into accommodation in Barsana and have breakfast
Visit ashram and participate in cultural immersion at Guruji’s ashram (Ali)
Visit the local village and temple (Ali)
Afternoon yoga at the ashram or temple (Milan)
Evening meal in Barsana

Day 12 – Explore Lodhauli

Morning yoga (Milan)
Breakfast
Village temple tour & sadhu darshan (Ali)
Forest bathing meditation (Ali)
Lunch at the ashram
Evening walk up to Radha temple (Ali)

Day 13 – Vrindavan

Morning yoga (Milan)
Guided breath + meditation (Ali)
Breakfast
Travel to Vrindavan auto/taxis/bus + check into accommodation
Day excursion parikrama (Milan)
Look around and enjoy group lunch

Day 14- Explore the local area

Radha kirtan (Ali)
Breakfast
Closing ceremony and group reflection session
Final group lunch
People who need to fly out will head back from Chhata to Delhi by taxi after lunch
Evening meal with people remaining with the group

Day 15 – Leave Barsana & Return to Delhi or other destinations

Please note this itinerary may be subject to refinement and change.