“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
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. Beside all the principal destinations, highlights and inclusions which are covered in our Footsteps Tours, 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 bathing days. We have made three group tours to accommodate huge interest amongst the SRF devotees to participate in the Kumbh Mela 2025.
Group 01: Starting from 15th January – 10th February 2025: (27 days in India) – Kumbh Mela 2025 bathing dates – 03rd & 04th Feb. – This group is full with a group of 20 devotees. Some of them are visiting Kumbh Mela for the second time after a beautiful experience in Kumbh Mela 2001 & 2013. We are starting to take registrations for Group 02 & Group 03.
India Footsteps Tour to coincide with Kumbh Mela 2025 for SRF devotees – Group 02
Main Tour 19th January – 14th February 2025 – 27 days
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE “IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS INDIA TOUR – KUMBH MELA 2025 FOR SRF DEVOTEES” ARE:
19 Jan – 21 Jan. 02 Night Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and stay at a nice 3* hotel. Some of you can take rest or do a half day city tour of Delhi. Meditate the YSS Kendra. Optional take in an Ayurvedic SPA or do some shopping in the market walking distance from the hotel.
21 Jan – 22 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 Keshabananda’s Katayani Peeth Ashram in Brindavan – associate of our Master. Stay at a 3* hotel in Agra. Tour the World Heritage Site and monument of love – the majestic Taj Mahal at Sunrise.
22 Jan – 24 Jan. 02 Nights at Noida YSS Ashram. Drive from Agra to Noida and stay at YSS Noida YSS Ashram. Spend time at the Ashram. Do meditation and attend ashram activities and satsangs.
24 Jan – 26 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. Also visit Govardhan Math. Stay at a beautiful 3-star hotel close to the beach. Visit the World Heritage site – Konark Sun Temple.
26 Jan – 30 Jan. 04 Nights Kolkata – YSS Daksineswar. Fly from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata. Stay at YSS Ashram in Dakshineswar. Visit Sri Yukteshwarji’s ashram site 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. Participate in daily YSS Ashram activities including group energization and meditation.
30 Jan – 02 Feb. 03 Nights Varanasi: Take flight from Kolkata 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 optional walking & rickshaw tours in of the oldest holy city in the world & visit places as mentioned in AOY.
02 Feb – 05 Feb. 03 Nights at Kumbh (Prayagraj). Drive from Varanasi to Prayagraj to get 03 full days at the Kumbh Mela 2025. Stay at a comfortable Swiss tents with all basic facilities including WC restrooms. Take holy dips 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 Ranchi): Take Tourist train Vande Bharat to Delhi from Prayagraj. Stay in Delhi at a 3* Hotel near Airport.
06 Feb – 08 Feb. 02 Nights Ranchi – YSS Headquarters. Take flight from Delhi to Ranchi. Stay at the YSS Ranchi Ashram. Spend two 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.
08 Feb – 09 Feb. 01 Night Pantnagar – Take a morning flight from Ranchi to Pantnagar (enroute point with an airport to reach Dwarahat). Stay at Pantnagar in a 4* Hotel – foothills of Himalayas.
09 Feb – 13 Feb: 04 Nights at Dwarahat YSS Ashram. Take a drive from Pantnagar to Dwarahat. Enroute visit Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Ashram (guru and inspiration of Baba Ram Dass, Mark Zukerberg , Julia Roberts and Steve Jobs). Stay at Dwarahat YSS Ashram for 04 days, visit Babaji’s Cave and enjoy the wonderful view of the high Himalayas at sunrise and sunset. Participate in ashram activities. We will organize drive to Ranikhet and enjoy the wonderful view of the high Himalayas. Visit the Haidakhan Babaji’s Temple.
13 Feb – 14 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 14th Feb evening.
Tour Price “IN YOGANANDA’S FOOTSTEPS INDIA TOUR – KUMBH MELA 2025 FOR SRF DEVOTEES” per person on twin sharing basis – USD 3690.
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 (13th – 17th Feb 2025).
13 Feb – 14 Feb. 01 Night Rudraprayag. Drive from Dwarahat to Rudraprayag (night stop enroute to Rishiesh). Sit by the confluence of two holy rivers and meditate.
14 Feb – 17 Feb. 03 nights Rudraprayag/Rishikesh/Haridwar – Drive from Rudraprayag to Rishikesh. Enroute take a stop at the Devprayag holy confluence to enjoy the spectacular views of the river Ganges with an optional dip. Enroute meditate at the holy Vashishta Cave visited by many gurus. 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 at a 3* hotel near Ganges.
17 Feb. Rishikesh/ Delhi /Depart. Rishikesh/Delhi/Depart. Drive from Rishikesh to Delhi. Spend some time at the Noida YSS Ashram. Participate in the evening Satsang. After dinner transfer to Delhi Airport departure terminals to take flight back home on 17th 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
GROUP 02 – SECOND EXTENSION TOUR (17TH Feb – 24th Feb 2025)
COVERING HARIDWAR EXTENDED SITES – BEATLES ASHRAM / RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK, SPIRITUAL CAVE / TREKKING TOURS, AHMEDABAD YSS KENDRA & BR. CHIDANANDA’S VISIT IN AHMEDABAD.
17-20 Feb. 03-night Haridwar. Drive from Rishikesh to Haridwar. Stay at a three-star Hotel Devnadi located by the banks of river Ganges. Walk by the Ganges River and experience evening Ganges Arti at Har Ki Paudi. We will organize visit to The Beatles Ashram with option of enjoying a Jeep ride in the Rajji National Park, visit to the Spiritual Jhilmil Cave or trekking to the Shiva Neelkanth Temple. We will also organize hike to Mansa Devi Goddess Temple. It is said that the heart of Goddess Sati fell on this spiritual land and is resting at Mansa Devi Temple.
20-24 Feb. 04-night Ahmedabad – Take flight from Dehradun to Ahmedabad. Stay at four-star Hotel near the YSS Dhyan Kendra. Visit the YSS Dhyan Kendra and attend the activities at the Kendra. We will organize sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad covering heritage & spiritual sites along with Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati. Be part of the Br. Chidananda’s visit on 23rd Feb & and enjoy his lectures in person. Take flight from Ahmedabad to Delhi on 24th Feb late morning and onward to USA on 24th Feb evening or 25th Feb early morning.
Price for the 07 nights Haridwar & Ahmedabad Tour on twin sharing – USD 995.
India Footsteps Kumbh Mela Tour Feb’2025
22nd February – 06th March 2025 – 13 Days
24 Feb – 25 Feb. 01 Nights Kumbh: Take early morning train to Prayagraj & spend 01 full days at the Kumbh. This is a very special place in the life of our Master. Stay at a comfortable Swiss tent with all basic facilities including WC restrooms. Take holy dip at the Sangam. Kumbh Mela is celebrated once after 12 years at the confluence of three holy rivers – Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati.
25 Feb – 27 Feb. 02 Nights Varanasi: Drive from Prayagraj 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.
27 Feb – 01 Mar. 02 Nights Ranchi – YSS Headquarters. Take the tourist train from Varanasi to Ranchi. Stay at the YSS Ranchi Ashram. Spend two lovely days in the beautiful ambiance of the YSS Ranchi Ashram—headquarters of YSS and retreat center. Visit the Ranchi school & Participate in all daily ashram activities including group energization and meditation.
01 Mar – 02 Mar. 01-night Pantnagar. Take flight from Ranchi to Pantnagar via Delhi – foothills of the Himalayas Dwarahat Ashram. Spend a night at a 4* Hotel.
02 Mar – 05 Mar. 03 Nights at Dwarahat YSS Ashram. Early morning drive to Dwarahat. Enroute visit Neem Karoli Baba’s Kenichi Ashram (guru and inspiration of Baba Ram Dass). Stay at Dwarahat YSS Ashram / visit school, Babaji’s Cave and enjoy the wonderful view of the high Himalayas at sunrise and sunset. Participate in ashram activities.
05 Mar – 06 Mar. 01-night Delhi. Drive to Kathgodam and take the train to Dehi. Spend a night before taking flight back home. We will have a coach/car at your disposal for last-minute shopping in Delhi. After dinner transfer to the International Airport to take your flight back home on 06th March evening or 07th March very early morning.
Tour Price per person on twin sharing basis – USD 2295.
Single room surcharge (at hotels only)– USD 595.
Minimum Group of 06-10 persons.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
# Accommodation for 12 nights in clean, comfortable budget 3-star hotels and YSS ashrams/ Kumbh Camp 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
# 02 domestic airline flights & 03 domestic train ride in comfortable best 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 boat rides on the River Ganges in Varanasi
# 02 boat rides on the Kumbh mela confluence bathing site
# Cycle rickshaw rides in Delhi 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 insurance (required) or travel insurance (recommended)
# Personal donations at temples
# Extra, voluntary donations to YSS ashrams and monks (recommended minimum of USD 10-15 per night’s stay)
# International airfares & India Visa cost
Register for the January/February 2025 “ In Yogananda’s India Footsteps Kumbh Mela 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