A Tantric Tour of Nepal, India & Devipuram Draped along the spine of the Himalaya, Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, timeworn temples, and some of the best hiking trails on earth. Nepal is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures. It's the kind of country that lingers in your dreams long after you leave it. Our guide in Katmandu is a Tantra professor at the university. We will spend full days visiting the ancient sacred temples and stupas of the Katmandu valley--the three fabled cities: Katmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. India will sideswipe you with its size, clamor and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it. Nothing in this country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India is a litmus test for many travelers - some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime. I've put together a very special tour of the most Tantric, most exotic, most rare and beautiful sites and destinations in India, creating what I know will be a rich and life-changing experience for us all! And . . . I've saved the best for last. You'll join me as I return to the Tantric ashram I visited last summer. Together, we will experience the mystical path of sir Vidya, the left-handed path of Tantra, with guru. You'll be invited to participate in rare Sri Vidya rituals and will experience the simplicity of the roots of the Tantric path. Please note: this portion of the Tantric tour of India is for well-seasoned travelers only . . . we will enter the true culture and way of living of these beautiful Tantric people for one week! Tantric Tour of Nepal . November 4th - 11th . 2008 Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu. Meet at airport and transfer to Summit Hotel in Patan. Day 2: Morning independent. Afternoon visit The Patan Museum (next to your hotel) located in a most beautiful renovated Malla Palace Garden The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an outstanding architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of Patan Durbar, one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and windows face one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The museum's exhibits cover a long span of Nepal's cultural history and some rare objects are among its treasures. Their meaning and context within the living traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism are all clearly explained. Most of the objects are cast bronzes and gilt copper repoussé work, traditional crafts for which Patan is famous. Lunch at the Museum Restaurant, operated by The Summit Hotel. It offers an excellent variety of Nepalese and continental meals with organic vegetables and salads grown in the museum gardens. After the museum visit, you may like to stroll about independently. Also located near the Summit are some of the best woodwork and handicraft shops in the valley. The Tibetan Refugee Camp has a wide selection of hand woven natural and vegetable dye carpets. Day 3 - 7: Kathmandu Valley. Our guide in Kathmandu is a Tantra professor at the University. We will spend full days visiting the ancient sacred temples and stupas of the Kathmandu Valley--the three fabled cities: Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. In Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple is the most sacred Hindu shrine in the world; dated prior to 400 AD, devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati river flowing beside the temple; Changu Narayan Temple, dedicated to the god Bishnu, is one of the oldest specimens of pagoda architecture embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings; Bodhnath Stupa is the largest stupa; Swayambunath-probably the most well-recognized among westerners; Bhairab and Taleju temples, and Kumari Devi. In Patan: Kwa Bahal, a Buddhist monastery dating back to 12th century; Mahabouddha, 14th century Buddhist monument; Uku Bahal, best known place of worship in Patan. In Bhaktapur: Nyatapola Temple, Dattatreya Square containing the Dattatreya Temple with a 3 headed combination of Hindu deities Brahma, Bishnu & Shiva; various ornate Hindu monasteries known as Math--including the 15th century Pujari Math, the most famous, which has the finest wood carvings and the celebrated Peacock Window. Explore the old Kathmandu City on foot. The focus of this walk will be Introduction of Tantra in Buddhism and its implications in the Newari community. Day trip to visit the Dakshinkali temple & Pharping, an area in the countryside filled with sacred sites. En-route you will visit one of the typical Newar villages - Kirtipur. In the Dakshinkali temple every Tuesday and Saturday the local people give offerings of live animals - hen, goats and buffaloes. It is a very sacred ceremony--visually impactful and emotionally touching to observe. Day 8: Transfer to airport for flt to Delhi Net Price: $1,800 per person . prices subject to change Single Supplement: $425 If you are traveling as a single and are opening to sharing a room with another single, thus saving yourself the single supplement fee, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Plus airfare: Katmandu to Delhi: $185 (subject to change). Flight to Delhi applies only to those continuing with us on the Tantric Tour of India. Deposit Due Upon Booking: $900 non-refundable Final Payment Due July 1st, 2008: $900 + single supplement if applicable Airfares to be paid separately Includes: 7 nights accommodation at Summit Hotel All meals; Farewell dinner at local restaurant with cultural dance show All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary Specialized Tantric Guide Entrance fees Not Included: Airport Tax Nepal entry visa fee Tips Photography charges Bottled drinks Expenses of personal nature such as phone, laundry The Summit is a very special Nepali style hotel with western comfort. It is located equidistant between the great Durbar Squares of Kathmandu and LalitpurTerraces set in spacious flower gardens give views north across the Kathmandu Valley to the Shivapuri ridgeline and the snow clad Himalayan range beyond. Open balconies with local hand made tile floors and carved wooden pillars connect to the rooms. With Kathmandu now being a crowded city, the old city of Patan (Lalitpur) has not changed much over the centuries and can easily be explored on foot. www.summit-nepal.com Tantric Tour of India . November 11th - 26th . 2008 Day 1: Arrive Delhi. Day 2: Transfer to airport for late-night flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival check in to hotel. Afternoon board a boat, which takes us mid-stream to witness the evening "aarti" ceremony. This is the evening service performed by a priest on the banks of the river. Accompanied by the hypnotic beat of drums and bells and the chanting of prayers, the whole ceremony is mesmerizing ending with the release of hundreds of lamps into waters of the river. Day 3: Varanasi. A contemporary of Nineveh and Thebes, Varanasi today, is the oldest living city in the world. One of India's most sacred cities, a devout Hindu believes to die and be cremated in Varanasi is to gain "moksha" or release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. A visit to Varanasi reveals the spiritual heart of India, and the best way to experience this is to tour the Ganges in a country boat at sunrise. Pilgrims, yogis and mystics flock to the ghats (steps) which lie along the banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India's holiest river, practice yoga, meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes and vessels. Early morning life in this city revolves around the ghats. The visit to the old city is a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism. Every temple is well attended and every street corner has roadside shrines and vendors selling garlands, incense sticks and other items used in worship. We walk through the narrow alleys where we share space with cows, scooters, cycle rickshaws, shops and people to the banks of the Ganges. Return to hotel for breakfast. Some independent time. Afternoon, we visit the archeological site at Sarnath . This is where Buddha gave his first sermon in 500 BC to five disciples and we can walk along the path the Buddha followed in his meditation. At approx 6 pm, local Buddhists chant the words to Buddha's last sermon. Day 4: Fly to Khajuraho, Khajuraho. This tiny village is famous for its remarkable complex of temples built in an inspired burst of creativity between 950 and 1050 AD under the Chandela kings. Of the original 85, only 25 survive and each is a masterpiece dedicated to different deities. The temples were lost among the forest for centuries and were accidentally discovered by a British army engineer in 1858. The presence of erotic temple sculpture, which accounts for less than 10% of the total carvings, has resulted in many theories. The most popular being that the Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult which believes that gratification of earthly desires in a step towards attaining moksha or release from the cycle of rebirth. Day 5: Khajuraho visit eastern complex and old village of Khajuraho. Afterwards, drive to Jhansi (170 Km) to board Shatabdi Express Train to Agra. You'll be met at the train station and transfered to your hotel. Day 6: Visit Taj Mahal & Agra Fort. Agra at one time served as the capital city for the great Mughal Empire, and it is the repository of some of their finest architectural creations. The Agra Fort reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This fort palace was begun by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel and was subsequently completed by two successive generations who added the delicate mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the history of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is described as "A tear on the face of eternity" by the poet laureate Tagore and is an enduring monument to love. Built by a grieving Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal built of glistening marble, fabulously decorated in a mosaic of semi precious stones, is a stunning mausoleum. Day 7: Return to Delhi and fly to Bombay. Transfer to hotel. Day 8: Bombay We drive down to the Gateway of India for an introduction to the Indo Saracenic architectural styles that influenced many of India's monuments. From here we board a launch for a half-hour journey across Mumbai harbor to the cave temples on Elephanta Island. Excavated during the 9th century, the caves are dedicated to the trinity of Indian deities - Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva. Day 9: Train to Pune and transfer to Osho Ashram. Accommodation at the Osho Hotel inside the complex. Day 10: Pune. A quiet town, Pune became famous when Bhagwan Rajneesh's famous ashram renamed Osho Commune International began here several years ago. The ashram runs a series of courses in traditional meditation as New Age techniques. Day 11-12: Transfer to airport and drive to Puttaparthi, the birthplace and Ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a supreme example of Divine Incarnation. We stay within the ashram for two nights. Prashanthi Nilayam Ashram. Day 13: Return to Bangalore & fly to Madras, then drive on to Mahabalipuram. Day 14-15: Mahabalipuram as it is known today is an extraordinary experience. This open-air museum of Tamil art in living rock is the work of students under the patronage of the Pallava rulers. Strewn along the coast are some outstanding examples of 7th century sculpture - cave temples, an enormous bas-relief depicting scenes from the Indian epic the Mahabharata, and an amphitheater of chariot shaped temples. The landmark of this marvelous collection is the Shore Temple, a world heritage monument, and the only surviving one from a complex, the other's having been claimed by the sea. In the evening we watch a performance of Indian classical dance under the stars and have a South Indian buffet dinner. Day 16: Excursion to Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities. The city dates from the 2nd century BC, from the time of the early Chola reign. Successive dynasties built hundreds of temples, resulting in the name "The Golden City of a 1000 temples", the earliest surviving temple dating from the 6th and 7th century. Apart from being a center of pilgrimage, Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk weavers who settled in this area in the 16th century. Silk being a pure fabric, is used to dress the images of the various deities during festivals. These silk weavers came from neighboring Karnataka and make saris woven in jewel colors and decorated with god threads. Most of the weavers work from their own homes, which you will visit during this trip. We will have a special puja just for us at this sacred site. Return to Madras. Shared rooms for showering & changing. Late night transfer to international airport for flight home. Net Price: $5,150 per person . prices subject to change Single Supplement: $1,205 If you are traveling as a single and are opening to sharing a room with another single, thus saving yourself the single supplement fee, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Deposit Due Upon Booking: $2,575 non-refundable Final Payment Due July 1st: $2,575 + single supplement if applicable Airfares to be paid separately. Plus airfares: Delhi to Varanasi: $130 - $235 Varanasi to Khajuraho: $170 Delhi to Bombay: $150 - $325 Pune to Bangalore: $120 - $290 Bangalore to Chennai: $110 - $190 Includes : Hotel accommodation, double occupancy All meals including taxes. First class air conditioned train fare Bombay to Pune and Khajuraho (Jhansi) to Agra, Air condition transportation Professional local guides, Porterage Monument entrance and still camera fees Mineral water and soft drinks during sightseeing and long drives Accommodation: One night Delhi at Ashok Country Resort (B) Two nights Varanasi at Taj Ganges or Ramada (B,L,D) One night Khajuraho at Taj Chandela (B,L,D) Two nights Agra at Clarks Shiraz (B,L, D) Two nights Bombay at Taj Mahal (B,L,D) Two nights Pune at Osho Ashram (B,L,D) Two nights Puttaparthy at Hotel Sai Renaissance (B,L,D) Three nights Mahabalipuram at GRT Temple Bay (B,L,D) Shared Rooms for wash and change at Radisson GRT in Chennai until departure All arrival, departure transfers and land transport in one A/C mini-bus as per itinerary Professional local guide during sightseeing in Varanasi, Khajurahi, Agra, Bombay & Mahabalipuram Monument entrances Boat ride on River Ganges Ferry to Elephanta caves Porterage at hotels, domestic flights & train station Camera fees Mineral water during sightseeing and long drives Train Tickets in A/C Char Class Jhansi - Agra and Bombay - Pune India Gov Service Tax 3.09% Devipuram Ashram . November 26th - December 4th . 2008 Day 1: Overnight in Madras. Day 2: Fly to Visakhapatnam and drive to Devipuram Ashram. Day 3-8: Dissolving into the mystical Tantric practices of the Sri Vidya with Guruji. Day 9: Pick up at Devipuram Ashram and drive to airport. Group transfer to airport hotel and late night transfer to airport for flight home. Net Price: $1,152 per person . prices subject to change Single Supplement: $300 If you are traveling as a single and are opening to sharing a room with another single, thus saving yourself the single supplement fee, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Deposit Due Upon Booking: $576 non-refundable Final Payment Due July 1st: $576 + single supplement if applicable Airfares to be paid separately. Airfares additional Madras to Visakhapatnam: $150 - $325 Includes: One night accommodation in Madras at Radisson GRT, shared rooms for wash and change at Kohinoor Continental until departure. All arrival and departure transfers in Madras and Bombay in one A/C mini coach as per itinerary. India Government Service Tax 3.09%. Shared accommodation at Devipuram Ashram. All meals at Devipuram Ashram. Transfers to and from airport.