SRF-tours-to-india-yogananda
IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS INDIA TOUR FOR DEVOTEES OF PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA (SRF/YSS)
Hello fellow devotees and friends of SRF,
We, Network Tours have been organizing many tours for SRF Devotees – “In Yogananda’s Footsteps” India Tour that includes participation in the YSS Sangam Retreat in the YSS Ashrams located in Ranchi, Dakshineswar and Noida. Based on feedback from many devotees and our 24+ years of experience in organizing customized tours, Network Tours, New Delhi, has arranged fabulous 22 to 30 day group tours that combines the Sadhana Sangam spiritual experiences with our popular “In Yogananda’s Footsteps” India Tour—the tour especially designed to visit many of the special locations mentioned in “Autobiography of a Yogi.” Year 2025 is very special as we will be participating in the Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj. This will be our third Kumbh Mela with the YSS devotees – 2001, 2013 & 2025. We are all truly blessed to be part of this spiritual experience.
Notes:
- As many devotees have requested, the SRF/YSS spiritual tour “In Yogananda’s Footsteps” India Tour now includes YSS Ashram stays whenever possible, in lieu of hotel accommodations.
- Note that ashram accommodations can be quite austere. We suggest that first-time visitors consider enhancing their first Indian experience by staying in 4-star hotels instead of ashrams and budget hotels. The additional comfort of nicer hotels can be easily arranged for a modest increase in cost.
- The detailed itinerary will be sent to you upon request or after submitting your first deposit.
- Customized pre-tour and post-tour options may be arranged upon request.
Network Tours has organized several successful spiritual “In Yogananda’s Footsteps” India tours since 2001 for SRF devotees and friends. Our recent big tours include the Footsteps tour in February 2023 that included group 20 devotees. We had organized very large group tours from 2001 to 2023 including two Maha Kumbh Mela in 2001 & 2013. Our strength is serving repeat travelers from the SRF families who feel India is their second home.
We are proud to have taken care of all the logistics during the making of the movie ” Sacred Journeys of the World” by Bruce Feiler” during the Kumbh Mela 2013. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/
In the year 2024 – 2025, we are organizing three group tours for SRF Devotees – First one in October/November 2024 which will coincide with Sadhana Sangam at Ranchi YSS Ashram from 14-17 November (Diksha Ceremony on 16th November) and includes stay at YSS Ashram in Noida, Daksineswar and Dwarahat. The second tour is in January/February 2025 to celebrate the Kumbh Mela 2025. These tours are being coordinated by our dear fellow devotee James Aram who was a member of the group during the 2013 Kumbh Mela and tour leader in January 2016.
We have divided the October 2024 Pilgrimage Tour into two parts as “Main Footsteps Tour” & “Pre Tour to Badrinath” covering all the important spiritual sites as mentioned in the Autobiography of the Yogi. Brief details as mentioned below:
“IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS- INDIA TOUR” OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024
An Indian pilgrimage experience customized for SRF members & friends 22nd October – 18th November 2024 to coincide with the Sadhana Sangam at YSS Ranchi Ashram (14-17 November)
(28 days in India; allow two travel days from USA; one travel day to return from Delhi)
Principle Destinations:- New Delhi, Dwarahat YSS Ashram, Babaji’s Cave, Rudraprayag, Vashishta Cave, Ganga Camp, Haridwar /Rishikesh , Delhi, Noida YSS Ashram, Agra, Brindavan/ Mathura, Delhi , Puri/Bhubaneswar, Kolkata YSS Dakshineswar Ashram, Belur, Serampore, Varanasi, Ranchi YSS Ashram – Participate in the Sadhana Sangam and Kriya Diksha.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE “IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS” INDIA TOUR ITINERARY:
22 Oct – 24 Oct: Delhi – Arrive in Delhi and stay at a nice boutique hotel located close to the bazaar to buy essential items required for your India journey. Visit India Gate, Presidents House, Parliament House, Red Fort, Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, cycle rickshaw ride in the old market, YSS Kendra.
24 Oct – 28 Oct: Dwarahat – Take a train to Kathgodam and drive to Dwarahat. Enroute visit Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Ashram (guru and inspiration of Baba Ram Dass). Stay at Dwarahat YSS Ashram for 05 days, visit Babaji’s Cave and enjoy the wonderful view of the high Himalayas at sunrise and sunset. Participate in ashram activities.
28 Oct–29 Oct: Rudraprayag – Drive to Rudraprayag (night stop enroute to Rishikesh). Enjoy the spectacular views of the River Ganges and also the confluence of River Mandakini and Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
29 Oct – 01 Nov: Rishikesh – Drive to the Holy town of Rishikesh. Enroute meditate at the holy Vashishta Cave visited by many gurus. Sit by the river and enjoy the River Ganges. In Rishikesh take the Holy dip and participate in the personalized Ganga Arti. Meditate and spend quality time at the Keshavananda and Anandamoyi Maa Ashrams – associated with our beloved guru. Stay at a nice three-star hotel near the River Ganges.
01 Nov – 03 Nov: Rishikesh/Noida – Drive to Noida. Stay at the YSS Noida Ashram. Participate in meditation and attend Satsang.
03 Nov – 04 Nov: Noida/Mathura-Brindavan/Agra.
04 Nov – 05 Nov: Agra/ Delhi – Tour the World Heritage Site and monument of love, the majestic Taj Mahal. Spend a short time at the Sheroes Hangout Café (optional) , operated by inspiring women acid victims who have courageously fought back for life and survival in their cruel world. Later drive to Delhi. Spend night at 3* hotel in Delhi.
05 Nov – 07 Nov: Delhi/Bhubaneswar/Puri – Take a flight to Bhubaneswar and drive to Puri. Meditate and spend quality time at the beautiful Sri Yukteshwarji’s Karar Ashram. Enjoy cycle rickshaw ride and visit to Lord Jagannath Temple museum. Stay at a beautiful 3-star hotel close to the beach. Visit the World Heritage site – Konark Sun Temple.
07 Nov – 11 Nov: Kolkata Daksineswar Ashram – Take flight to Kolkata. Stay at YSS Ashram at Dakshineswar for 04 nights. Visit Sri Yukteshwarji’s ashram site at Serampore, Paramahansa Yogananda’s boyhood and family home in Kolkata, Kali Temple at Dakshineshwar, Mother Teressa’s Kolkata home and convent, Swami Vivekananda’s house and Sharda Maa’s Ashram. Participate in daily ashram activities including group energization and meditation.
11 Nov – 13 Nov: Varanasi – Take flight to Varanasi. Participate in the Boat rides in Varanasi at Sunset and Sunrise on the River Ganges. Meditate at Anandamoi Ma’s Home and visit Lahiri Mahasaya’s home and participate in Ganga Arti and walking tour of the oldest holy city in the world. Stay at a nice three-star hotel.
13 Nov – 18 Nov: Ranchi – Take a high-speed tourist train to Ranchi. Stay for 05 nights at nice three-star hotel near YSS Ranchi Ashram and participate in the Sadhana Sangam and Kriya Yoga Diksha from 14-17 Nov. Visit YSS Headquarters and retreat center. Participate in daily ashram activities including group energization and meditation.
18 Nov: Ranchi / Delhi / Depart. Spend morning at leisure. Enjoy the farewell lunch with Network Team, do last minute shopping and take flight back home on 18th November late evening or 19th November early morning.
The all-inclusive 28-days “In Yogananda’s Footsteps” India tour is value-priced as follows:
BASE TOUR PRICE – per person, twin-sharing (at least 10 persons): USD 3890.
EXTRA FOR SINGLE ROOM – in hotels only, not an option in ashrams: USD 995.
INITIAL DEPOSIT – twin-sharing: USD 1000
INITIAL DEPOSIT – single room: USD 1500
REGISTRATION RECEIVED AFTER August 15TH 2024, SUBJECT TO USD 250 SURCHARGE (late registration fee).
Tour price includes:
# Accommodation in clean, comfortable budget three & four-star hotels and YSS ashrams on twin sharing basis (single rooms available at additional cost; see above)
# All meals – breakfasts, lunches, & dinners
# 02 bottles of pure drinking water every day
# Transportation by A/C coach and car inclusive of all taxes, parking, & toll fees
# 04 domestic airline flights in India & 02 train rides in A/C cabins
# Entrances to all monuments
# Services of friendly tour escort who has accompanied many SRF devotee groups to all of Guruji’s principle sites over a 10-year period (tour group of 10 or more)
# Services of professional English-speaking/spiritual guides that assist in visiting historical sites and take you to locations mentioned in Autobiography of a Yogi and other points of spiritual interest
# 01 round-trip boat ride to Serampore from Dakshineswar (for a tour group of 10 or more).
# 02 boat rides on the River Ganges in Varanasi
# Cycle rickshaw rides in Delhi, Puri, and Varanasi
# Mobile phone carried by the escort to receive calls and connect with family in emergencies
# All applicable taxes
Tour Price does not include:
# Expenses of a personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls, internet usage, souveniers, etc.
# Medical / travel insurance
# Extra, voluntary donations to YSS ashrams and monks (recommended USD 10-20 per night’s stay)
# International airfares & India Visa expenses
Please contact Mr. James Aram at jparam@gmail.com or sandhyapande@nettoursindia.
We will be offering a 06-days Pre-Tour to visit Badrinath for SRF devotees joining the “October/November 2024 – Footsteps India Tour “. The 06 Days Extended Pre Tour to Badrinath is priced at USD 995 per person on twin sharing (group of 4-10 person). The tour price includes accommodation on twin sharing in carefully selected budget hotels for 05 nights (Rudraprayag, Joshimath & Badrinath), all meals. Pay additional USD 445 for taking a single occupancy room. Initial deposit USD 250. Register for the Pre Tour by 15th August 2024. Late Registration Fee – USD 150.
“IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS- INDIA TOUR” JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
An Indian pilgrimage experience customized for SRF members & friends to coincide with the Kumbh Mela 2025
16th January – 10th February 2025
(26 days in India; allow two travel days from USA; one travel day to return from Delhi)
We are organizing “In Yogananda’s India Footsteps Tour” in January/February 2025 to coincide with Kumbh Mela 2025 for SRF devotees at Triveni Sangam. This tour will start from 16th January to 10th February 2025 (26 days in India). Beside all the principal destinations, highlights and inclusions which are covered in October 2024 tour, all the devotees will be having option of experiencing a holy dip at Triveni Sangam ( holy confluence of River Ganges / Yamuna / Saraswati ) at Prayagraj near Varanasi during the Kumbh Mela on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami and Achala Saptami.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE “IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS INDIA TOUR – KUMBH MELA 2025 FOR SRF DEVOTEES” ARE:
16 Jan – 18 Jan. 02 Nights Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and stay at a nice 3* hotel. Some of you can take rest and the first timers can go on a half day city tour. Meditate at the YSS Kendra Delhi. Stay at a nice hotel close to the bazaar so you can buy some essential items for your India journey. Optional take in an Ayurvedic SPA.
18 Jan – 19 Jan: 01 Night Agra / Mathura-Brindavan. Drive to Agra from Delhi by coach. Enroute absorb the divine vibrations of Lord Krishna’s birthplace in Mathura and visit Brindavan, Krishna’s boyhood home. Meditate at Anandamaoyi Maa’s Ashram and visit Swami Keshabananda’s Katayani Pieth Ashram in Brindavan. Stay at a 3* hotel in Agra. Tour the World Heritage Site and monument of love – the majestic Taj Mahal at Sunrise.
19 Jan – 21 Jan. 02 Nights at Noida YSS Ashram. Drive from Agra to Noida and stay at a nice 3* hotel near YSS Noida YSS Ashram. Visit the Ashram and spend relaxed leisure day at Ashram doing meditation and attending ashram activities and satsangs. Breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinners at YSS Ashram.
21 Jan – 23 Jan. 02 Nights Puri/Bhubaneswar. Take flight to Bhubaneswar and drive to Puri. Meditate and spend quality time at the beautiful Sri Yukteshwarji’s Karar Ashram. Enjoy cycle rickshaw ride and visit to Lord Jagannath Temple museum , Govardhan Math and an orphanage supported by Swami Nirvanananda – an SRF member. Stay at a beautiful 3-star hotel close to the beach. Visit the World Heritage site – Konark Sun Temple.
23 Jan – 27 Jan. 04 Nights Kolkata – YSS Daksineswar. Fly from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata. Stay at YSS Ashram in Dakshineswar for four nights. Visit Sri Yukteshwarji’s ashram site and Uncle Sarada’s Home / YSS center in Serampore. Visit Paramahansa Yogananda’s boyhood and family home in Kolkata, Dakshineswar’s Kali Temple, Mother Teressa’s Kolkata home and convent, Swami Vivekananda’s home, and the Sharda Maa Ashram—headquarters of her spiritual organization for women and the realization of Swami Vivekananda’s dream. Tulasi Home & Yoga Studio of Bishnu’s great grand-daughter. Participate in daily YSS Ashram activities including group energization and meditation. Spend one free leisure day at the Ashram.
27 Jan – 30 Jan. 03 Nights Ranchi – YSS Headquarters. Fly from Kolkata to Ranchi. Stay at the YSS Ranchi Ashram. Spend three lovely days in the beautiful ambiance of the YSS Ranchi Ashram—headquarters of YSS and retreat center. Participate in all daily ashram activities including group energization and meditation. Visit the smaller Jagannath Temple outside of the town.
30 Jan – 31 Jan. 01 Night Bodhgaya. Take a highspeed Vande Bharat train to Bodhgaya. Stay at nice 3* hotel. Visit the sites of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment at the Mahabodhi Temple, a World Heritage Site, the Great Buddha Statue, and other monasteries and spiritual sites. Participate in meditation at a popular monastery.
31Jan – 03 Feb. 03 Nights Varanasi: Take a highspeed Vande Bharat train to Varanasi. Stay at 3* hotel. Take two boat rides in Varanasi—one at sunset and the other at sunrise—on the River Ganges. Meditate at Anandamaoyi Maa’s ashram and visit Lahiri Mahasaya’s family home. Participate in the renowned Ganga Arti and enjoy a walking tour of the oldest holy city in the world and visit places as mentioned in AOY. Visit Sarnath World Heritage site.
03 Feb – 05 Feb. 02 Nights at Kumbh Mela 2025 Triveni Sangam – Prayagraj. Drive early from Varanasi to Prayagraj to get 02 full days at the Kumbh Mela. Stay at a comfortable Swiss tent with all basic facilities including WC restrooms. Take holy dip at the Sangam on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami (03rd Feb) & Achla Saptami (04th Feb).
05 Feb – 06 Feb. 01 Night Delhi (halt before heading to Dwarahat): Take Tourist train Vande Bharat to Delhi from Prayagraj. Stay in Delhi near New Delhi Railway station.
06 Feb – 09 Feb. 03 Nights at Dwarahat YSS Ashram. Take a train to Kathgodam and drive to Dwarahat. Enroute visit Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Ashram (guru and inspiration of Baba Ram Dass). Stay at Dwarahat YSS Ashram for 03 days, visit Babaji’s Cave and enjoy the wonderful view of the high Himalayas at sunrise and sunset. Participate in ashram activities.
09 Feb – 10 Feb. 01 Night Delhi. Drive to Kathgodam and take the train back to Delhi. Stay overnight in Delhi. Enjoy a relaxed morning and pack your luggage. Do last minute shopping in Delhi. Take flight back to your home on 10th Feb evening.
Tour Price “IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS INDIA TOUR – KUMBH MELA 2025 FOR SRF DEVOTEES” per person on twin sharing basis – USD 3545.
Single room surcharge – USD 895.
Minimum Group of 10-20 people.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
# Accommodation in clean, comfortable budget 3-star hotels and YSS ashrams on twin sharing basis
# All Meals – At hotels, restaurants and YSS Ashrams
# 02 bottles of pure drinking water every day
# Transportation by A/C coach and cars inclusive of all taxes, parking, & toll fees
# 03 domestic airline flights in India
# 05 train rides in comfortable tourist trains in India
# Services of friendly, English-speaking tour escort who has accompanied many SRF devotee groups to all of Guruji’s principal sites over a 10-year period (for tour groups of 10 or more)
# Services of spiritual guides that assist while visiting locations mentioned in Autobiography of a Yogi as well as other points of spiritual interest
# 02 round of boat rides at The Prayagraj Triveni Sangam
# 02 boat rides on the River Ganges in Varanasi at Sunrise and Sunset
# Cycle rickshaw rides in Delhi, Puri and Varanasi
# Mobile phone carried by the escort to receive calls and connect with family in emergencies
# All applicable taxes
TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
# Expenses of a personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls, internet usage, souvenirs, etc.
# Medical / travel insurance
# Extra, voluntary donations to YSS ashrams and monks (recommended minimum of USD 10-15 per night’s stay)
# International airfares & India Visa cost
05 Days Extension Tour for devotees who want to visit Vashishta Cave, Rishikesh & Haridwar (09th – 13th Feb 2025).
09 Feb – 10 Feb. 01 Night Rudraprayag. Drive from Dwarahat to Rudraprayag (night stop enroute to Rishikesh). Enjoy the spectacular views of the River Ganges and also the confluence of River Mandakini and Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
10 Feb – 13 Feb: Rishikesh/Haridwar – Drive to the Holy town of Rishikesh. Enroute meditate at the holy Vashishta Cave visited by many gurus. Sit by the river and enjoy the River Ganges. In Rishikesh take the Holy dip and participate in the personalized Ganga Arti. Meditate and spend quality time at the Keshavananda and Anandamoyi Maa Ashrams – associated with our beloved guru. Visit the Divine Life society. Stay for 03 nights a hotel near Ganges.
13 Feb: Rishikesh/Dehradun/Delhi/Depart. Take flight to Delhi from Dehradun Airport (near Rishikesh). On arrival in Delhi, spend day at hotel near Airport. In the evening we will drop to departure terminals to take flight back home on 13th Feb evening.
Tour Price per person for the extension Tour on twin sharing basis – USD 695.
Single room surcharge – USD 295.
Minimum Group of 04 persons.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
# Accommodation for 04 nights in clean, comfortable budget 3 & 4-star hotels on twin sharing basis
# All Meals – Daily breakfast and dinners at hotels and working lunch at local restaurant during tour and intercity travel
# 02 bottles of pure drinking water every day
# Transportation by A/C coach / cars inclusive of all taxes, parking, & toll fees
# Services of driver cum escort
# All applicable taxes
TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
# Expenses of a personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls, internet usage, souvenirs, etc.
# Medical / travel insurance
# Personal donations at temples/Ashrams
# International airfares & India Visa cost
Register for the January/February 2025 “ In Yogananda’s India Footsteps Kumbh Male Tour” by October 15th, 2024. Please contact Mr. James Aram at jparam@gmail.com or sandhyapande@nettoursindia.com to register with an initial deposit of USD 1000 / 1500 on twin / single sharing.
Registrations received after October 15th , 2024 will attract a Late Fee of USD 250.
NOTE: We plan to start a group mailing list of the tour participants. The purpose will be sharing information and options on a regular basis relating to the tour, such as:
# Requirement of a current passport and visa to travel to India. Good news is that India has E-visa facility for tourists from many countries including USA.
# Best air fare option to travel to Delhi (India) and back from your desired US city of departure.
# Travel health insurance.
# Deposit and money forwarding instructions.
# Sharing devotee questions and comments, as appropriate, with the rest of the group.
# Other tour and pilgrimage related information of interest.
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you wish to join our tour, please email us your confirmation, and submit US $1000 deposit. On receipt of deposit, we will send you a detailed day-wise tour personalized itinerary.
We look forward to taking care of all your “In Yogananda’s Footsteps” India tour needs!!!!!!
Best regards.
Jai Guru.!!!!!
James P Aram – USA Representative. call +1 (530) 588-3864
Sandhya Pande – India Representative. call +91-9811111266
Testimonials
“I often tell friends and the monks at the temple of our Incredible India Tour and they asked us about what tour we went with”. – Tom Flynn. January 2023 Tour.
“Thanks again for the amazing adventure to India – we had such a special time”
Muriel Bianchi – January 2023 Tour.
“On our group tour all the guides were amazing and I was thrilled with the seamless sequence of heart
opening Guruj based, sacred-travel events based around the foot-steps of Yogananda. Jai Guru”
Lori – January 2024 Tour.
“Excellent tour overall. We were very pleased with the coordination, places we visited and with the guides. Highly recommended tour company – Thank you” Rafaelina and Eugene Ruiz. – In the Footsteps – February 2019.
” I’ve gone to India 4 times, the last 3 trips were SRF/YSS pilgrimage. Six of us from NY went in 2017 and the group chose to use Network Tours for all of our travel arrangements and everything worked perfectly. Sandhya is a YSS devotee but first and foremost she is a wonderful person and a very experienced, totally professional business owner with a very successful travel agency based in New Delhi. Good luck! Jai Guru! – Bill Siegel January’2018″
“Prasad was our shepherd. We could never have successfully completed this tour without him. Your team guided us safely and with very helpful information and lots of patience and goodwill. Thanks to all of your for this tour – Susan Bettmann , Vermont , USA – October Footsteps Group Tour 2017”
“Thank you Network Team. You all did a great job making this one of my most memorable travel experiences. I will come back to India. Thank you great job !!!!! Jai Guru !!!!! – Tm Boettcher, California , USA – October 2018”
The Tour deserves the highest rating for the pilgrimage travel. Our group of 18 were treated like family. Got the best care. Prasad our main guide is now part of our greater family as well as Debashis and others who shared their love and hearts. My heart is now in India. I hope and dream it is possible to return again and I must say this group of travelers also became one loving family. Thank you Sandhya, Ajay, Balbir for the perfect plan for the travel. Namaste – Jai Guru” – Deborah Sioux Thorup (Chico CA 95973, USA) – January 2016.
“ I really enjoyed the tour. All my needs were met. There was a lot of variety at first. I enjoyed going to and learning what I could about the different religions. At the end though too many temples all else was great. Thank you so much for getting this together. It was a great trip and people I will always remember with heartfelt love” – Susan Woods (Newada City, USA) –January 2016.
” Dear Sandhya, Thank you and your great team (Prasad and Ajay did a great job indeed) so very much for offering me and our SRF devotees group an wonderful journey in India! It was one of the most meaningful and uplifting journey of my life to visit your fascinating country that I miss already.
The group members were very pleased, as you can see from their messages of appreciation that you received already. I was very pleased to meet you in person also.
I hope that we can work together in the future again. With gratitude and best wishes, Dan Pricop – Tour Leader of SRF Group Kumbh Mela 2013″
“Dear Sandhya, I was a member of Dan Pricop’s recent tour group. I’m dropping a note simply because I failed to adequately express my deep appreciation for your services during our brief meeting the other night.
Most of all, words can’t describe my immense pleasure with the entire trip. I don’t recall ever experiencing such a sustained period of joy, awe, and deep appreciation for the culture and history around me. To make that so, your staff did a superb job of arranging and orchestrating all the events, connections, and presentations by the guides. I don’t know how you did it all for the price we paid, but I know everyone in the group was equally impressed and greatly appreciative.
It will take some time for my heart and mind to integrate the experience of the past three weeks. I tried to come to India without expectations other than to expect the unexpected. I did have, however, a great many positive imaginings about this trip. I truly can say all were happily and vastly exceeded!
Thank you for making my dream trip to India a reality, and please know that I will eagerly and heartily recommend Network Tours to everyone I can.
Sincerely, J. Aram” with Rinnie and our team members.
“Dear Sandhya Josef and I are eternally grateful for your loving help. We would not be traveling to India as often or as happily as we do if you were not helping us. Ajay and Prasad are wonderful to work with . Please know we are ever grateful, send our love, gratitude and blessings so that this year is the best one yet for family, work and God!” – Judy Szamos !!!! October 2018.
Judy Szamos, California , USA