SACRED JOURNEY TO THE HIMALAYAS
October 16 - 25, 2020
Join me for a 10-day sacred journey into the Himalayas, majestic mountains that have been held sacred, and are said to embody spiritual aspiration and mankind’s highest potential. This pilgrimage is for those who love nature, high mountains, and places of spiritual power, and, most importantly, for those who want to engage on a
journey inward of self discovery.
I invite you to explore with me the exquisite beauty and spiritual power of Mcleodganj, Vashist, Manali, and the surrounding areas. We will be greeted by a friend in Delhi, who will look after all of our needs and act as our local guide and trekking expert while we’re in India. From Delhi, we will travel as a group to Mcleodganj and begin our journey.
Highlights of the trip:
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Daily Ashtanga yoga and meditation.
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A visit to the Dalai Lama temple and other spiritual sights
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Treks to Bhagsu Nath waterfall (1.25 miles) and Jogini waterfall (2 miles).
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A visit to the Vashist temple, and sacred hot springs.
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A 6-mile trek to Triund, a hike offering panoramic views of the neighboring towns and mountains.
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Local sightseeing and Indian markets.
What’s included:
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Daily yoga and meditation with Megan.
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Pre-trip group meetings to prepare you for your travels and to introduce group members.
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Assistance and transportation in arrival and departure at Delhi international airport.
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All accommodations at deluxe hotels.
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Breakfast each morning.
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All transportation during the tour in air conditioned 12-seater luxury mini bus, with reclining seats.
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Services of an experienced local tour manager and hiking guide during the entire journey.
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All road taxes, state taxes and driver allowances, as well as entry into national parks.
PRICING: $1600 for shared accommodations
$1900 for single ***Price includes all of items listed the above. Airfare to Delhi, India is NOT
How to Register: email Megan, fill out a registration form, and make a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total trip cost ($800 for shared; $950 for single). Remainder of trip cost is due on July 15, 2020. Register early, as space is limited to 10 guests.
Early Bird Special: Pay in full by March 1, 2020 and receive a $100 discount!
FAQs
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Do I need a passport? Yes. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months past the end date of the trip.
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Do I need a visa to travel to India? Yes. There is a new online visa facility, e-Visa, which is available for passport holders of many countries (including the US). This visa is only valid for up to 30 days. Please be sure to carefully read the instructions on the website. Note that there are other third party sites that offer this service with an additional service fee. I do not recommend using any site other than the official Government of India one: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/.
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Do I need vaccinations to travel to India? Most likely. Check the CDC website and visit a travel clinic to determine whether you need any new vaccinations or boosters to travel to India--specifically, to the region of Himchal Pradesh, India. Most vaccinations require boosters, so give yourself plenty of time (a few months) before the trip.
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When should I book my flight? We will all book our flights when we have 5 participants to ensure we have enough people to take on the trip. (I will tell you when that is, but likely by March 2020). Use google flights and sky scanner to keep an eye on flight prices. I always check Harrisburg (MDT), Baltimore (BWI), and Newark, NJ (EWR) to see what the best prices are. If we have enough people from York on the same flights, we can arrange carpools to airports. Aim to leave on 15 October to make sure you're in India by early morning of 16 October. Return date is 25 October.
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Do I need travel insurance? Yes. It's always a good idea to get a travel insurance policy for a big trip, at the same time you get your flight, in case of emergency or trip cancellation. Make sure you get one that covers your emergency medical expenses while you're abroad, as many U.S. health insurance companies won't. In India, treatments are generally paid for in cash. If you do have to make a claim to your insurance company afterwards, ensure to keep all relevant documentation. (I've used Allianz in the past, and they were great).
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What is the currency in India? The country currency is the Indian rupee (INR). There are ATM cash machines at the airport. I'd recommend not to change your money at Delhi airport, or only exchange a small amount, as the exchange rate there is rather high.
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How much spending money will I need? Your lodging, transportation, and breakfast is covered as part of the trip cost, as are all the fees and tolls associated with driving and visiting certain parks. The only spending money you will need will be for lunch and dinner, as well as bottled water and incidentals. You can probably expect to spend about $10-15/day on all of these things. (Budget more money for gifts and souvenirs.)
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Can I drink the water in India? No. Do not drink any water from taps unless you know it has been filtered with a very good water filter as one can become very ill from drinking contaminated water. You can buy sealed bottled water in the supermarkets or general stores; ensure to check the seal on the bottle cap.