Journey to the heart of India

with Sarahjoy Marsh

Tiruvannamalai, Varanasi, Pondicherry, Mahalbalipuram, Muttukadu, Chennai January 27 - February 11, 2014
Includes 2 meals/day, lodging, domestic transportation, guides, all classes, concert and music lesson, driver tips, airport arrival transfer Does not include international airfare, travelers insurance, visa, leader tips, drinks, charitable donations.

$3795

Overview
Join Sarahjoy Marsh this winter on a unique and incredible journey to the spiritual heart of India. The group will y into Delhi for a short overnight. On day 2, the group ies to Varanasi, regarded as a holy city by the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike. Varanasi is one of oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest in India. The group will reside on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Enjoy an early morning boat ride to witness the ceremonial bathing that is a pilgrimage for all Indians. Journey 10k to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his rst teachings about enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. See how the famous Varanasi silk is made by artisans who have been weaving for generations. Ride on bike rickshaws to visit Hanuman, Durga and the Golden Temples which all have important signicance for Hindus. Learn yoga philosophy from a renowned 80 year old scholar. Enjoy music class(es) and a special concert by local musicians who have played music at Sarahjoys studio in years past. Varanasi will touch every emotion and is a not to be missed stop on any trip to India. The group then travels to Tiruvannamalai, which lies at the base of Mt Arunachala, thought by Hindus to to be an earthly embodiment of Shiva, a giant earth lingam, and the home of many realized beings over the centuries, including Ramana Maharshi. Each month, pilgrims ocks to circumnavigate the mountain, thought to represent the re aspect. Arunachaleswara Temple, spread over 24 acres, is the largest Siva temple in India and is said to be at least 1000 years old. The group will visit the temple, circumnavigate 14k around Mt. Arunachala, as well as climb to the top to meditate near the cave where Ramana Maharshi lived in silence for 14 years. Soak in the shakti at Ramana Maharshis ashram. Sit with a living guru named Silent Amma in her ashram. Visit with children from the Shanti House and Terres des Hommes. Started by Chezhian Ramu, TDH helps children in distress, children with disabilities in need of rehabilitation, and children in need of care and protection. Experience rsthand why some of most important spiritual leaders in India have ocked to Tiruvannamalai. Lastly, the group makes it way east into Tamil Nadu, the heart of Hindu country. Enjoy a night in avorful Pondicherry, a French Colony that has Western aire and hints of New Orleans. Meditate at Sri Aurobindos Ashram, enjoy delicious food and shop in the local boutiques. The next morning, head to Mahalbalbalipuram, a World Heritage site consisting of ancient rockcut temples along the beach. The group then travels to a beach resort outside Chennai for 4 full days of teachings with Saraswathi Vasudevan, a renowned yoga therapy teacher originally trained under TKS Desikachar. Dive deep into your own spiritual journey during this incredible opportunity to study with an authentic Indian teacher. Lastly, enjoy some time in Chennai visiting Krishnamurtis Library, Vivekanadas museum and a few local temples before returning home with a renewed sense of self and a new outlook on the world.

Delhi Varanasi

Bangalore

Chennai Pondicherry Tiruvannamalai

redbacktravels.com 503 708 7877 info@redbacktravels.com

TAJ MAHAL & Delhi PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Itinerary

Friday, Jan 24: Arrive Delhi
A driver (holding a yellow sign that says Redback Travels) will pick you up at the airport to take you to the hotel nearby. Overnight Taurus Hotel Delhi Taurus Hotel IGI Airport Road, N.H-08, Mahipalpur extn, New Delhi-110037 +91-11-26789000 info@taurushotels.com www.taurushotels.com Arrivals: Je 1:20AM (hotel room for THU night); Alena & Julia arriving 11:10PM

Sat, Jan 25: Delhi to Agra

Eat breakfast. 8:45am: Meet the driver in the lobby. Leave for Agra at 9am (3-4 hrs). Check in to hotel and eat lunch 2pm: Meet your guide, Sanjay, in the lobby. The driver, Mr Sodhi, will take you to the Agra Fort for a tour with Sanjay. Continue on to a nearby marble factory to see how inlayed marble is made. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight Wyndham Hotel Agra. Wyndham Grand in Agra 7th Mile Stone, Fatehabad Rd, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India +91 562 223 7000 http://wyndhamgrandagra.com/ reservations@wyndhamgrandagra.com

Sun, Jan 26: Agra to Delhi

5:30am: Meet Sanjay in the lobby. The driver will take you close to the Taj where you will then get on an electric car to the front gate. Enjoy sunrise at the Taj Mahal when everything is quiet and peaceful. Return to the hotel and eat breakfast, do yoga, etc. 11am: Meet the driver for transport to Vrindavan (2 hrs). Visit Neem Karoli Babas Ashram. Meditate in Babajis room. Continue on to the IKSON Hari Krishna temple and nearby Prem Mandir. Across the street from IKSON temple is MVT Bhaktivedanta Ashram. The food here is amazing. Eat a late lunch at MVT. Continue on to Delhi (2 hrs). Dinner and overnight Taurus Hotel Delhi.

Mon, Jan 27: Delhi

Eat breakfast. 10am: Meet the group in the lobby. Enjoy a 4 hour tour of Delhi including Gandhis Smriti, The Old City and Spice Market, India Gate. Return to Hauz Khas Village for a late lunch at Naivedyam Restaurant. Free time for shopping in this artsy boutique enclave. 5pm: Meet the driver to return to the hotel. Rest and overnight Taurus Hotel Delhi.

Contacts in case of emergency (only for this section!):

Sanjay (guide) mobile: 098 37 17 14 66 Jalam Singh (India Agent) - Mobile: 098 11 22 27 35

They say in India, Sub Kulch Malega, meaning, Anything is Possible. Things rarely happen quite like you expect. Our schedules are an outline. In the event of unforeseeable circumstances the itinerary may change. An enjoyable experience takes precedence over everything else.

Itinerary
Mon, Jan 27 / Day 1: Arrive Delhi.
Anytime. A driver will pick you up at the airport (look for yellow sign reading Redback Travels and transfer you vto the hotel. Overnight Delhi.

Tues, Jan 28 / Day 2: Delhi to Varanasi

Eat breakfast. 9:30am Meet in the lobby with your bags for transfer to the airport 11:45am: Flight to Varanasi. Arrive 1:20pm. Your guide will meet you at baggage claim. Drive 1 hr to hotel at Assi ghat. Check in to the hotel and get settled. Each lunch at Open Hand Cafe (around corner). Wander along the ghats and explore. 4:30pm: Yoga with Sarahjoy on the rooftop. Walk to Pizzeria Vaatika (near hotel) for group dinner. Overnight Palace on the Ganges Hotel Varanasi. (B, D)

Wed, Jan 29 / Day 3: Varanasi

6am: Meet the guide in the lobby to board a boat for an early morning ride on the Ganges. Witness the ceremonial bathing that takes place each morning. Return to the hotel and eat breakfast. 9:30am: Meet in the lobby. A boy from the music academy will escort you to Deobrat Mishras music center for a chanting and music class. (10am-11:30am) After class, Sarahjoy will lead a yoga class at the center (@ 12-1:15pm) Free time for lunch, shopping, etc. 4pm: Meet the guide in the hotel lobby to walk down to Main Ghat for shopping and people watching. 5:30pm Aarti ceremony at Main Ghat on the Ganges. Afterwards, walk to Dolphin Restaurant for dinner. Walk or take a boat back to the hotel. Overnight Varanasi. (B, D)

Varanasi

Thurs, Jan 30 / Day 4: Varanasi

7-8:30am Yoga with Sarahjoy (either rooftop or Deobrats center, whichever group prefers) 8:30-9:30am: Breakfast 10am: Meet the guide in the hotel lobby. Drive 10km east of Varanasi to visit Sarnath, one of Buddhisms major centres of India. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his rst sermon. On the way back, visit a silk weaving shop to see how the renowded silk of Varanasi is made. Free time (Optional music class. at 5pm Please arrange with Deobrat day before). Dinner on your own. Overnight Varanasi. (B, D)
Arunachala Temple from top of mountain

Fri, Jan 31 / Day 5: Varanasi

7-8:30am Yoga with Sarahjoy (either rooftop or Deobrats center) 8:30-9:30am breakfast 10am: Meet guide in the lobby. Take bike rickshaws to visit Durga, Hanuman and Golden Temples. 1:30pm: Eat lunch at Dosa Cafe near the Golden Temple. Continue on to Vagish Shastris house. 3-5pm-ish: Yoga philosophy discussion with Vagish. Eat dinner nearby at Kerala Cafe. Walk to Deobrats music center for an evening concert 7:30-9pm: Evening concert. Overnight Varanasi. (B, D)

Mt. Arunachal

Sat, Feb 1 / Day 6: Varanasi to Bangalore

7-8:30am: Yoga with Sarahjoy 8:30-9:30am: Breakfast. Free time. (Optional music class or another class w/ Vagish. Please arrange with them day before) 1pm: Meet in lobby to load cars and head to the airport. 4:10pm ight to Bangalore. Eat dinner at the Delhi airport during the layover. Arrive Bangalore 11:15pm. An escort will meet you at baggage claim. Transfer to nearby Goldnch Hotel. Overnight Bangalore. (B, D)
Promenade & Beach Pondicherry

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Itinerary
Sun, Feb 2 / Day 7: Bangalore to Tiruvannamalai
Eat breakfast. 8:45am: Meet your new guide and in the lobby with your bags and load the bus. Drive to Tiruvannamalai (@ 4hrs). Check-in to the hotel. Relax and eat lunch. 3pm: Meet in the lobby. The bus will take the you to meet Ramu at Terres des Hommes Center for a tour of his center. Sarahjoy will lead a 1 hour yoga class for the children and group. Eat an early dinner nearby per Ramus recommendation. Return to Sparsa Resort Tiruvannamalai. (B, D)

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS TIRUVANNAMALAI

Auro Ushas Across from Sheshadri Ashram. Western food and Indian fusion. Hotel Ramakrishna On the northeast side of the mountain. Tamil, Veg Good breakfasts, especially after walking the Inner Path, and good thali lunches. Hotel Arpana Near the Ramakrishna, also a good breakfast leaving the Inner Path, not as spicy as Ramakrishna. Pricey, by Tiruvannamalai standards. Trishul Near the Big Temple -Tasty food Tamil and Chinese Veg and Non-Veg. You can get beer with meals in the bar. Sparsa Hotel On AHAM Road. High end lunch and dinner, usually buet. Other than the dosa, we do not think much of their breakfasts. Pricey, by Tiruvannamalai standards. Sathyas Cafe on Perumpakkam Road Veg, inexpensive, gathering place near Moojis satsang. Very good wood-red pizza on Saturday nights. Popular for inexpensive breakfast. Shantis Cafe near Ramanasramam Fresh croissants and baguettes delivered daily from Pondicherry, Wi-. Roof top. Tasty Cafe up from Agni Lingam Veg Western and Indian cuisine. Try the lasagna. Roof top. Now Wi-. Pumpernickel Bakery Across the street from Tasty Cafe. Some Westerners say this is their favorite place. The Dreaming Tree Down the hill from Ushas, near ShivaShakti Amma Ashram. New for 2011, roof top, small menu, popular new place. Manna Cafe Around the corner from Ushas. Western and Indian veg. Music on the roof some nights. Hotel Ashreya Beer, other drinks, Veg and Non-Veg food. Big screen TV with football matches. Pricey, by Tiruvannamalai standards.

Mon Feb 3 / Day 8: Tiruvannamalai

7-8:30am: Yoga with Sarahjoy 8:30-9:30am: Breakfast. 10am: Meet the guide who will take you on the inner path around sacred Mt Arunachala. Bring plenty of water and wear running/hiking shoes. Allow 4 hrs. Afternoon free time to explore several temples near the Resort: 10 mins walking distance from the resort are Anandeshwara and 1008 Lingams and Kannapan Temple. A short tuk tuk ride away is Adi Annamalai Temple dating back 2000 years. Dinner on your own. Overnight Tiru. (B, D).

Tues Feb 4 / Day 9: Tiruvannamalai

7-8am: Yoga with Sarahjoy (note slightly dierent time!) 8:15-9am: Breakfast 9:15am: Meet the guide in the lobby for transport to Silent Ammas Ashram. She will do darshan for about 15 mins around 10am. Lunch nearby at The Dreaming Tree. The bus will drop everyone o at Ramana Maharshis Ashram. Visit the ashram. Free time. 4pm: Meet the guide at Ramana Maharshis Ashram. Walk to Aranachala Temple for a tour and evening pooja (6pm). The temple is believed to be the largest temple in the world dedicated to Shiva and dates back 1000 years. Group thali dinner at Hotel Ramakrishna. The bus will pick you up to return to the hotel. Overnight Tiruvannamalai. (B, D)

Wed Feb 5 / Day 10: Tiruvannamalai to Pondicherry

4:30am: Meet the guide in the lobby to perform the sacred climb (2 hrs) to the top of Mt. Aranachala for outstanding views and meditation in the cave where Ramana Maharshi meditated for 14 years. Meditate on the top of the mountain. Return to the hotel for breakfast. 10am: Board the bus for Pondicherry (@ 2.5 hrs). Check-in to the hotel. Afternoon free for lunch, shopping & walking along the promenade. Dinner on your own. Overnight Pondy. (B, D).

Thurs Feb 6 / Day 11: Pondicherry to Muttukadu via Mahalbalipuram

7-8:30am: Yoga with Sarahjoy followed by breakfast 10am: Have your bags ready and meet the guide in the lobby. Walk to Sri Aurobindos ashram. Meditate and reect in silence. Visit the ashrams bookstore and then walk next door to a small Ganesh Temple where an elephant will bless you. The bus will meet you near the Temple. Continue on to Mahalbalipuram (1.5 hrs). Eat lunch. Explore the impressive shore temples. Get back on the bus and continue 1 hour to the beach resort outside Chennai. Check in and relax. Dinner and overnight MGM Beach Resort. (B, D)

Fri Feb 7 - Mon Feb 10 / Day 12-15: Muttukadu

These days will consist of a yoga sessions led by Saraswathi Vasudevan. (B, L, D) A theme will be woven into the teachings. 6 - 7.30am - Morning Practice 7.30 - 9am Breakfast 9am - 12.30pm - Session 1 & 2 with a break of 30 min midway. 12.30pm - 3pm - Lunch and rest 3pm - 5pm Session 3 Early dinner 6.30 - 7.30 pm 7.30 - 8.30 (optional) Meditative/relaxation practice.

Tues Feb 11 / Day 16: Muttukadu to Chennai

7-8:30am Yoga with Sarahjoy followed by breakfast. 10am: Board buses for Chennai (30 mins). Do some local sightseeing to Krishnamurtis Library, Vivekanandas Ice House, and various local temples. Eat lunch. Arrive at the Chennai airport at 4:30pm for a 6pm ight to Bangalore. Arrive 7pm. Drive to a nearby restaurant for a last farewell dinner. Return to the airport for your ight home. (B, D)

DISCOVER NEW WORLDS. DISCOVER YOURSELF.

Varanasi