March 7 – 22, 2018
Rishikesh – Kainchi – Vrindhavan – Agra – Eco-Village Bhakti Retreat
Your guide
Saul David Raye will be your guide on this journey. Saul is an internationally known yoga teacher and kirtan artist and over the last 22 years has made numerous journeys to India on spiritual pilgrimage both alone and leading groups. On this journey you will have the opportunity to truly immerse into the land, spirit and culture of India, visit many special places that are off the beaten path and meet with great yogi’s, saints and seekers. This is a spiritual pilgrimage and we will be immersed and supported in our sadhana ( practice) and sangha (community) throughout the trip. Like any pilgrimage, there will be ups and downs but many moments of spontaneous of joy, peace and Love. A once in a lifetime journey to the source of Yoga….AUM
Other Teachers
Acharya is the sanskrit word for teacher. We will have the opportunity to learn from, sit and visit with other teachers. Including Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Indradumnya Swami, Sadhu Maharaj, Sadhviji, Dev Dhwaba and many others.
Bhakti Yatra Itinerary
March 7 -11 Rishikesh
We will meet and spend the first 4 nights & days in the holy city of Rishkesh ( city of saints) on the banks of Mother Ganga.
Visiting sacred temples, caves and great Yogi’s, while practicing yoga, meditation and chanting everyday. This will give us time to unwind and relax after our journey and acclimate to India. We will visit a special temple to the Divine Mother, ancient Yogic Cave, chant kirtan at the banks for the ganga and visit some special ashrams and temples.
March 11 – 14 Kainchi Dham
Morning of MARCH 11 we will travel to Kainchi Dham and there we will spend 3 nights and days.
Kainchi is a beautiful place in the Kumoan hills and home to one of the main temples of Neem Karoli Baba ( Guru of Ram Dass, Krishna Das, Jai Uttal + many more). Here we will immerse in Daily Yoga, meditation and chanting ( we will learn the Hanuman Chalisa) and
visit the Neem Karli Baba Temple and other temples including Kaghrighat. This is a historic place in the unfolding of yoga in the west.
March 14 – 15 Agra / Taj Mahal
We will travel to the city of Agra and visit and have learn about one of the 7 wonders of the world – the Taj Mahal.
We will learn the incredible story of this labor of love and have sunset and sunrise views of the Taj along with a guided cultural tour.
March 15 -18 – Vrindhavan
Then our journey will take us to Vrindhavan, holy city of Krishna + Radha.
Here we will experience a divine whirlwind of spiritual ecstasy like no other place. We will stay at the tranquil MVT Trust and and visit some very special temples and teachers as well as a boat ride on the Yamuna River and sacred Govardhan hill.
March 18 – 22 Govardhan Eco-Village – Bhakti Culture Immersion
For the last leg of our journey we will travel by air to south India near the Arabian sea. Here we will stay for 5 days / 4 nights at the Govardhan Eco-village for a Bhakti Cultural Immersion.
Here we will spend time relaxing, studying, practicing Yoga and immersing into the heart of devotional practices. Ayurvedic massage, delcious food and lots of kirtan. This is an amazing Eco-village that holds such a deep atmosphere of peace and harmony it must be experienced.
Price includes – Shared accommodations, all meals, group transport on group trips, all yoga classes and group instruction and group special events, guided tours and experiences.
Price does not include the following: international airfare, 1 domestic flight, visa or passport, tips, ayurvedic healing treatments, shopping or anything not stated above.
*75 Hour Immersion for ( 300 hour Atma Yoga Teacher Training or continuing Yoga Alliance Education) with Manual / Study Guide
Travel Information
Getting There + Away
Fly into New Delhi airport arrive by the morning of the March 7th or earlier. Travel to Rishikesh is either a short 1.5 hour plane ride or 7 – 8 hours by bus or 5-6 hours by train. We work with a trusted tour company called India Highlights and we can arrange hotels and support for travel. As well as private car for sightseeing in Delhi. Prices are reasonable and we trust our friend Khem Singh ( owner of India Highlights) a 108%.
Departure – The Yatra will end the night of the 21st with early departure on the morning of the 22nd. You can fly out of Mumbai airport ( BOM) or continue your journey in India. We can help you arrange an extended stay.
International Travel
Flights to India are quite cheap right now. Fares are available under $500 and some on really good carriers such as Turkish , Delta, Etihad and others that are under $800 from LAX. Please arrive in New Delhi and leave from Mumbai unless you are making other plans.
Domestic Flight
You will need 2 or 3 domestic flights depending on where your departure home is. Each leg is approx $50 or less in many cases.
1) New Delhi to Rishikesh by march 7th. *
2) New Delhi to Mumbai on the 18th. ( Please email us for the group flight info).
3) If your return international flight is from New Delhi, you will need to return to Delhi. This is sometimes cheaper. If you are flying out of Mumbai, you will not need a 3rd domestic flight.
Passport and Visa
You will need a valid passport and India Visa. India has made easy to get an electronic visa it takes a about 3 days to a week and is very easy to obtain. However it is only good for 30 days and one entry, which for one visit to india is plenty. If you need more than that, then get a 6 month or longer visa, those take a little more time. You can do it yourself of if you want to make it easier on yourself, find a reputable passport / visa service and they will take care of it for you with ease. We recommend Ambassador Passport + Visa in Los Angeles, we have worked with them many times over the years and they always come through and are very reasonable in price.
Accommodation + Food
We will stay in clean, comfortable nice accommodations and eat clean, healthy delicious vegetarian food.
We do not recommend street food or any water except bottled water. We recommend to being to strengthen your immune system before you go, good sleep, vitamins (B,C,D), pro-biotics and an herbal para-cleanse ( banyan botanicals) are all great immune boosters.
We will provide a detailed Welcome + Information letter upon sign up.
Paradox + Intensity
Life is always a paradox and certainly India is one of the most paradoxical places on earth, full of beauty, power, contrast and sometimes dirty, chaotic + challenging. India is like no other place on earth. A yatra or pilgrimage provides many experiences, the majority of them will be enjoyable, expansive and inspiring and in some moments you may be challenged. This is when we practice our Yoga and breathe and smile together. India’s magic is in her paradox, the people and well over 5,000 years of spiritual practice. She will blow your mind, open your heart and remind you that your soul and the soul of life itself are ONE. I have been to India about 15 times and other than the flu i got one on the way home and a cold i have never gotten sick in india ( knock on wood). There is lots of cheap high quality ayurvedic medicine and treatments available. We wil send out how to prepare and what to bring email to all participants. Jai Ganga MA !
( Rudraprayag where the ganga river begins)
The Taj ! One of groups in Hardiwar Sacred dip at the Ganga !
with Sadhu MAHARAJ w/ Krishna Das + Sridhar in Mumbai Kedarnath ! Making friends in the Kumbh Mela