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In the Footsteps of the Masters - A Spiritual Pilgrimage to Ancient and Magical
India
January 24 – February 3, 2007
Past Tour
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- Pre-Tour Optional Excursion to Sri Lanka – Pilgrimage to the Garden of Eden
January 18 – 25, 2007
Early Booking Discount!
Book by 6 months before the tour departs, or by July 25, 2006 and save $400 per
person!
Tour Leader: Mark Amaru Pinkham is an author, researcher, popular
lecturer and teacher, and Director of The International Order of Gnostic
Templars (and the associated Mysteries of the Goddess Wisdom School and The
Seven Rays of Healing School). Mark has been involved in the practice and
teaching of Yoga and Meditation for over 25 years and has lived in ashrams in
the U.S. and India, where he traveled widely. He has also been a student and
professional practitioner of Western and Vedic (Hindu) Astrology for the past 20
years. Learn more about Mark on our About Your
Tour Leader page.
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Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 Depart your
home city |
| Depart your home city
on your international flight to India. (depending on the flight schedule from
your home city, you may need to depart on Tue, Jan 23) |
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Day 2 Arrive India/To Amritapuri
(D) |
rrive Mumbai. After clearing Immigration, Baggage Claim and
Customs, meet our local tour representative to connect with your flight to
Trivandrum. Arrive in Trivandrum and meet our local tour representative, and
board your motor coach for the drive through the Indian countryside to
Amritapuri. Enroute Mark will present the life story and his experiences with
Mata Amritanandamayi, the fully enlightened woman saint from Kerala known by
millions the world over as the Divine Mother. Lunch on your own enroute. Arrive
at the ashram and check into your room; rest and free time until the evening
program. Experience the divine bliss of singing bhajans led by Ammachi’s senior
disciples. Dinner.
Overnight: Amritapuri |
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Day 3 Amritapuri (B/L/D) |
DAILY SCHEDULE: During the days that you are at Amritapuri
you will be able to follow the daily ashram schedule; Mark will advise you of
the opportunities for seva (selfless service), as well as ashram events that
will involve Ammachi and her swamis and swaminis.
MEALS: Ashram meals are included in your tour package. These are traditional
Indian food that is eaten by the ashram residents. There is also a Western Café
where you can purchase other food if you like, at an additional expense;
generally it’s very inexpensive. Mark will advise you how to buy a meal card if
you prefer to at the cafe. Note that all proceeds from the profits at the café
go to fund Ammachi’s many charities.
Experience the darshan of the Holy Mother, Mata Amritanandamayi, the
"Hugging Saint" who showers her Unconditional Love through her darshan
(spiritual blessing) of hugs.
Overnight Amritapuri. |
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Day 4 Amritapuri (B/L/D) |
Free time. You might want to take a small boat across the
nearby backwaters to the traditional village of Vallickavu. Or, take a long,
meditative stroll along the shore of the Arabian Sea, next to the ashram. In the
evening you will attend a special all-night ceremony, Devi Bhava,
during which Ammachi more fully reveals the spiritual energy and wisdom of the
Divine Mother Goddess that She embodies. Receive Her spiritual blessings.
Overnight Amritapuri. |
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Day 5 To Cochin/Chennai: Visit to Tomb of St. Thomas & Arupadi Veedu Temple
(B/D) |
Depart via motor coach to the airport in Cochin. Arrive and
transfer to the hotel. Check in. Lunch on your own. Depart to visit the Tomb
of St. Thomas, the Apostle of India, who preached and traveled the Malabar
and Coromandel coasts. Mark Amaru will offer exciting information about his time
in India, taken from his book The Truth Behind the Christ Myth. Continue
to Arupadi Veedu Temple. This temple compound consists of a group of
temples dedicated to Lord Murrugan (Sanat Kumara), who is recognized as Shiva’s
son, the Christ of the present cycle of time, and the first Fisher King and
Kundalini Master. Here Mark will share with the group the ancient legend of Lord
Murrugan. Return to the hotel. Group Dinner.
Overnight Chennai. |
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Day 6 To
Tiruvannamalai: Ramana Maharshi Ashram
(B) |
Depart after breakfast to Tiruvannamalai via motor coach.
Enroute Mark will share with the group the legend of sacred Arunachala
Mountain in Tiruvannamalai, which is worshipped as an embodiment of Lord Shiva.
He will also recount the life story of Ramana Maharshi, the Sage of
Arunachala, a spiritual giant of our time who perfectly embodied the ultimate
truth of Self-realization, or complete immersion in God. His highest teaching of
'Self-enquiry' was understood in the infinite silence of his presence. Through
this silence, countless numbers of devotees and visitors experienced the pure
bliss of True Being. Arrive and check into hotel. Lunch on your own. Visit to
the magnificent Arunachala Temple in the center of the city to witness
Hindu rituals performed by Brahmans just the way they were thousands of years
ago. Continue to Ramana Maharshi's ashram for meditation and to visit
Ramana’s Tomb. Return to the hotel. Free time. Dinner on your own.
Overnight: Tiruvannamalai |
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Day 7 In Tiruvannamalai: Arunachala, Agasthiar Ashram, the Ashram and Samadhi
Shrine of Yogi Ramsuratkumar, the Ashram of Ma Shivashakti (B) |
Morning visit to the very ancient Skanda Ashram, where
Sri Ramana lived for six years and the Virupaksha Meditation Cave where
He lived for 17 years. Ample meditation time at both of these places.
Return to the hotel. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon we will visit many of
the ashrams, samadhi (tomb) shrines and saints abiding in Tiruvannamalai,
including the Agasthiar Ashram, the Ashram and Samadhi Shrine of Yogi
Ramsuratkumar, the Ashram of Ma Shivashakti, and the various temples
which line the sacred road that encircles Arunachala Mt. Dinner on your own. Try
a different local restaurant tonight?
Overnight Tiruvannamalai. |
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Day 8 Return to Chennai (B) |
Depart after breakfast for the return by bus to Chennai. Lunch
on your own enroute. Afternoon arrival at the hotel. Check in. Free time to
explore on your own, or engage in a bit of “Retail Therapy” - SHOPPING! Whether
it’s merely to meet and support the local people, to purchase birthday and
holiday gifts for friends or family, or to treat yourself, you will have an
immensely grand time soaking up the culture as you browse through the local
artisan markets and shops. You may even become the Bargaining King or Queen of
the tour! Look at what awaits you - ready-made saris and punjabis in all colors
and designs. For your spiritual practice, there are a wealth of prayer shawls,
malas, incense, murtis (statues) of the various Hindu deities such as Ganesh,
Shiva, Kali, Krishna and many, many more! Dinner on your own; try one of the
many local restaurants for very tasty Indian cuisine, and possibly
entertainment.
Overnight: Chennai |
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Day 9 To Varanasi: Visit Temples, Ganges Ritual (B/D) |
Morning departure to airport for flight to Varanasi.
Enroute from the airport to our hotel in Varanasi Mark will share with the group
the histories and legends of India’s most holy city. Lunch on your own. In the
afternoon we will explore the labyrinth of temples that Varanasi is famous for.
In the evening we will witness the spectacular aarti ritual to Mother
Ganga, the Spirit of the Ganges, performed daily on the banks of the river.
Group Dinner.
Overnight: Varanasi |
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Day 10 In Varanasi: Ganges, Sarnath, & Baba Kinaram Aghori Ashram, Farewell
Dinner (B/D) |
Early morning sunrise boat ride/meditation on the
sacred Ganges, during which you will witness the daily sacred rites
performed by the local yogis and sadhus. Return to hotel for breakfast.
Depart to visit Sarnath, outside the city, to walk the holy grounds where
the Buddha preached his first sermon.
Return to the hotel. Lunch on your own. Afternoon visit to Baba Kinaram
Aghori Ashram and meet Satguru Avadhoot Siddharth Gautam Ramji, the
current lineage holder of the ancient Aghori lineage of yogis. The Aghoris are a
sect of the Shiva Yogis that founded Varanasi. The Aghoris have existed since
the time of the first Aghori Master, the Avatar Dattatreya, who lived many
thousands of years ago. Evening “Farewell to India Dinner” at the hotel
Overnight Varanasi. |
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Day 11 : Depart India (B) |
| Morning free. Depart to the airport. Arrive and transfer to
day rooms at the nearby airport hotel. Free time to rest. Dinner on your own.
Later evening departure to the nearby airport terminal for your international
flight. Connect to your home city, arriving the same day. |
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(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.
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PRE-TOUR
OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO SRI LANKA
Pilgrimage to the Garden of Eden
January 18 – 25, 2007
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| Day 1 Depart your
home city |
| Depart your home city on your international flight to India.
(depending on the flight schedule from your home city, you may need to depart on
Thu, Jan 18) |
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Day 2 Arrive Chennai/To Sri Lanka |
Arrive in Sri Lanka. Meet our local tour representative and
transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure and dinner on your own.
Overnight Colombo. |
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Day 3 In Colombo (B) |
After breakfast, depart for your sightseeing tour of Colombo, to the busy
commercial areas, as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens.
Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military
garrison; Sea Street - the Goldsmith's quarters in the heart of Pettah; the
Bazaar area, where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone
carvings; the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749; the
BMICH with a replica of Avukana Buddha; and Independence Square. Lunch on
your own at a local restaurant. Time in the afternoon for some Retail Therapy:
an exquisite tea boutique, a cashew nut shop, shops for ready made garments at
Majestic City; the Lanka Ceramics Center, where you can buy Noritake china and
other ceramic items; the Barefoot House of Fashion and Beverly Street garment
shop. Return to the Hotel. Dinner on your own.
Overnight Colombo. |
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Day 4 To Adam’s
Peak and
Kataragama
(B)
Depart after breakfast for your journey to Kataragama, during which you will
drive past Adam's Peak, the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka, sacred to all
four major religions -Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslims and Christians. Buddhists call
the mountain Sri Pada ("the sacred footprint") and say it was visited by Gautama
Buddha, who placed His Footprint on top of the mountain. To Hindus, the peak is
known as Shiva Adipatham, and the sacred footprint is believed to be that of
Lord Shiva. Muslims insist it is the place where Adam first set foot on earth
when he was expelled from the Garden of Eden. And Roman Catholics say the
footprint impressed in the boulder at the summit is that of St. Thomas, the
early Christian apostle who preached in South India. Lunch on your own. Continue
to Kataragama; check in at the hotel. Dinner on your own.
Overnight Kataragama. |
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Day 5 In Kataragama
(B) |
After breakfast, you have free time to explore on your own. Kataragama is a
place of worship not only for Hindus, but for Buddhists, Muslims and some
Christians as well. For Hindus it is the supreme city of the diety known as
Skanda, or Murrugan, the Peacock Angel. The highlight of the day will be the
Puja Ceremony to Lord Murrugan. Return to the hotel. Dinner on your
own.
Overnight Kataragama. |
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Day 6 Return to
Colombo (B) |
After breakfast you transfer back to Colombo. Free time for any individual
exploration and/or last minute shopping. Lunch and Dinner on your own.
Overnight Colombo. |
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Day 7 Return to
India - India Tour Begins (B) |
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After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. Join the
group for the beginning of the India tour. |
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(B =
Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. |
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Tour Inclusions
& Price |
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Your Journey Includes: |
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Features: |
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Travel with Speaker Mark Amaru Pinkham and
other spirit-minded people |
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Hatha Yoga, Meditation Instruction, and
Sanskrit chanting with Mark Pinkham |
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Special Lectures on the Yoga Masters and
Philosophy |
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Participation in special rituals and
ceremonies |
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Three days at Amritapuri ashram on the Arabian
Sea |
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Special Welcome and Farewell Dinners |
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| Tour
does not include: |
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International Airfare/departure taxes (ask us
for a quote from your home city) |
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Cancellation & Medical Insurance (as us for a
quote) |
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Meals not included, as indicated on the
itinerary |
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Cost to obtain valid passport and Visa for
India |
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Any items of a personal nature such as
laundry, drinks and phone calls. |
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Any item that is not specifically detailed on
our website or in the final itinerary |
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Tour Price |
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| Tour Price Per Person (Land Only) |
Single Supplement |
Prepaid Gratuities |
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USD $2899.00 if you book
before Jul 25
USD $3299.00 for bookings after Jul 25 |
USD $575.00 |
USD $100.00 per person. |
Pre-Tour Excursion to Sri Lanka
USD $475.00 Roundtrip airfare Chennai/Colombo
USD $375.00 Land Package, per person, double occupancy |
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| Please call us for a quote on airfare from
your home city |
Early Booking Discount!
Book by 6 months before the tour departs, or by July 25, 2006 and save $400 per
person!
Note: Pre-paid gratuities to cover guides, drivers, waiters, baggage
handling, etc. Your Tour Escort will carry and disburse these funds so that you
can relax and enjoy your trip, knowing that everyone assisting you is being
taken care of properly.
Note: The single supplement is ONLY for those who would like to secure a
private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price. If you are
not traveling with anyone you know and would like to share a room, we will be
happy to work to find you a suitable roommate. Per our Terms and Conditions,
registration for the tour will be held open until two weeks before the departure
date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have
not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to
pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this
process. |
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