Pilgrimage into the poetic heart of India with Hareesh & Hannah

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

HW
12 reviews
Dec 28, 2019 - Jan 6, 2020
Group size: 25 - 36
Pilgrimage into the poetic heart of India with Hareesh & Hannah
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

12 reviews

Dec 28, 2019 - Jan 6, 2020
Group size: 25 - 36

About this trip

Join us for a 10-day pilgrimage of the inner and outer landscapes of India!

with Hareesh Wallis and Hannah Muse


The Sacred India Tour to Maharashtra is a journey unlike any you've experienced. We will visit incredible temples and sacred sites of Yoga and of Shaivism while engaging in deep practice and contemplation of spiritual teachings.


Maharashtra literally means “The great kingdom” and is the birthplace of some of the greatest Poet-Sages of India. Poetry and artistic expressions of devotion have long been an important component of Indian spirituality. The nature of Ultimate Reality is said to be impossible for the mind to understand and put into language, but sacred poetry provides some of the most impactful and evocative attempts.


Join us as we immerse in the poetry and Kirtan (devotional singing) of some of the most profound Poet-Sages of the Bhakti tradition. The exquisite poetry of these Sages has the potential to call forward the part of our own being that knows the Truth, opening us towards our deepest intention and igniting our desire to awaken. We will sit together in sacred and powerful sites, drinking in the beauty of these realized poet-sages, and invite our hearts to break open.


You can relax into your experience knowing everything is completely taken care of. The price is all-inclusive (except flight and tips), and every detail is attended to with loving care. We stay in luxurious hotels with a traditional flair because we want you to be comfortable but also to experience real India.  

Who are our guides?

Hannah will be offering daily āsana practice and guided meditation. She is known for her profound devotion to waking up to the sacred that permeates everything and her nurturing way of weaving ancient wisdom + transformational ritual into everyday living.


Her classes skillfully weave mantra, pranayama, meditation, mudra, and philosophy throughout intelligently-sequenced, alignment-based flows  – and her studies span traditions of Raja, Tantra, Hatha yoga, as well as anatomy, Ayurveda, the neuroscience of mindfulness, and much more, including various mystical traditions.


Hareesh (Christopher Wallis) will offer passionate renderings of spiritual poetry and rich kirtan in addition to yoga philosophy discourse, Satsang (spiritual teaching) and meditation instruction. He will guide you through all of the sacred sites and accompany you on the entire pilgrimage.


In addition to the experienced guidance of Hareesh, we also have a local tour guide we’ve worked with for all our retreats who speaks fluent English and will be devoted to us for the entire trip. 

Highlights of the trip

Burial Site of Jnaneshwar, whose name means “lord of knowledge.” Both an incredibly gifted writer and profound Tantrik mystic, Jnaneshwar’s poetry is resonant with his powerful attainment and unparalleled artistry. He was so merged with the awareness that all beings are at heart one that he could reach anyone with his speech, with his call. Hareesh will recite this powerful poetic transmission to us at Jnaneshwar’s burial site.


The Ellora Caves house one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, and some of the finest ancient paintings dating from around 600-1000 CE. This powerful site features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to Shiva.  The entire structure was carved from a single boulder, from the three-story exterior down to the Linga at the center of the temple. 

Extension to Ganeshpuri

You can choose to extend your visit 2 nights to join us in Ganeshpuri. There we will visit the sacred burial shrine of one of the greatest Indian Saints, Bhagavan Nityananda. We will also soak in sacred hot springs that are said to have healing properties. 


This extension can be added as an additional item upon registration. Single and Double rooms available. PLEASE NOTE: The extension ends on Jan 8th.

What’s included

  • Yoga and Meditation
    with Hannah Muse
  • Satsang
    with Hareesh Wallis
  • Practice with Hareesh
    Hareesh will lead classical Tantrik practices
  • Historical Talks
    with Hareesh Wallis
  • Accommodations
    We stay at some of the most beautiful Heritage hotels in all of India
  • Food
    Delicious, high quality and safe meals
  • Admission to Monuments
  • Transporation
    We travel in a comfortable air-conditioned bus
  • Local tour guide
  • Tips for hotel staff
  • Bottled Water
  • All Taxes

What’s not included

  • Flights
  • Camera Fee at Temples
    usually only a few dollars
  • Shopping
  • Tips for Local Guide
    This is a customary part of how tour guides earn their living in India. We encourage everyone to tip our guide Yusuf a total of $5-20 per day ($10-25 average). More info about this will be provided.
  • Airport Transfers
    Taxis and Uber rides can easily be organized upon arrival or at the time of departure or Yusuf can organise airport transfers for a supplement of $20

Available Packages

Early Bird Double Room

This is for participants who would like to share a room. You can either room with a travel companion or have a roommate assigned. 


Early Bird price is available until Sept 15th


Refund Policy: 

Up to 90 days before: 80% refund

Up to 60 days before: 50% refund

Up to 30 days before: 30% refund

No refunds 30 days or less 

$3,275
Early Bird Single Room

This option is for participants who would like a private room.


Early Bird price is available until Sept 15th


Refund Policy: 

Up to 90 days before: 80% refund

Up to 60 days before: 50% refund

Up to 30 days before: 30% refund

No refunds 30 days or less 

$4,075
Double Room

This is for participants who would like to share a room. You can either room with a travel companion or have a roommate assigned.  


Please only choose this option after Sept 15th.


Refund Policy: 

Up to 90 days before: 80% refund

Up to 60 days before: 50% refund

Up to 30 days before: 30% refund

No refunds 30 days or less 

$3,650
Single Room

This option is for participant who would like a private room.


Please only choose this option after Sept 15th.


Refund Policy: 

Up to 90 days before: 80% refund

Up to 60 days before: 50% refund

Up to 30 days before: 30% refund

No refunds 30 days or less 

$4,500
Early Bird Double Room - Payment Plan

This is for participants who would like to share a room. You can either room with a travel companion or have a roommate assigned. 


Payment Plan is available until Sept 15th


Refund Policy: 

Up to 90 days before: 80% refund

Up to 60 days before: 50% refund

Up to 30 days before: 30% refund

No refunds 30 days or less 

$3,275
Deposit: $700
Individual payment plan

Unique payment plan for one individual

$2,808

Available options



Itinerary

Day 1: Dec 28
Arrive in Mumbai

Your Organizer


HW
Hareesh Wallis
12 reviews
Christopher Wallis, also known as Hareesh, was introduced to Indian spirituality at the age of seven and initiated into the practice of yogic meditation at sixteen. His degrees include a B.A. in Religion and Classics from the University of Rochester, an M.A. in Sanskrit from U.C. Berkeley, an M.Phil. in Classical Indian Religions from Oxford, and a Ph.D. on the traditions of Śaiva Tantra from Berkeley. He received traditional education at yoga āshrams in upstate New York and India in meditation, kīrtan, mantra-science, āsana, karma-yoga, and more. He currently teaches meditation, yoga darśana (philosophy), Tantrik philosophy, Sanskrit, mantra-science, and offers spiritual counseling. Hareesh is the Founder and Head Faculty of the Mattamayura Institute.

Reviews

This trip was absolutely wonderful! I learned so much about the culture: history, religion, society, yoga, music. The food was fabulous, and the accommodations were excellent. Our group was well cared for the entire time. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I am so grateful for. Thank you Hareesh, Hannah and Yusif for taking us on a magical journey in Mother India.
By Jamie C for Pilgrimage into the poetic heart of India with Hareesh & Hannah on Jan 19, 2020
AM
What an unforgettable experience! I am a yoga therapist and brought my husband along with me, who did not have any interest in going to India at all! Hareesh, Hannah, Yusuf, and Susan took such great care of all of us, and my husband had a wonderful time, of course! The accommodations were fantastic, food was delicious, traveling was comfortable, and the rest of the attendees were positive, accepting, friendly, and fun! The tour was very organized, and consisted of daily yoga with Hannah, and visiting various temples, caves, spiritual sites, and more, and ended with kirtan or satsang with Hareesh nightly. I not only took part in activities that I would never be able to do on my own, I learned so much about life through the beautiful lectures led by Hareesh. My husband and I will definitely be going on retreat again with Hareesh and Hannah. Props to Yusuf, our Indian guide, whose dedication and commitment made this a trip of a lifetime. I cried at the end out of pure gratitude to the trip leaders, So many fabulous memories that make me super excited to go back soon!
By Ashley M for Pilgrimage into the poetic heart of India with Hareesh & Hannah on Jan 11, 2020
This trip was fun and profound--Hareesh and his staff led an awesome journey on all levels--traveling through the real India and making contact with the deep spirit of India, her people and ourselves. The food and accomodations were great and the yoga and tantrik teachings were excellent.
By Kathy G for Journey into the Sacred Heartland of Yoga Hareesh and Hannah on Jan 18, 2019
GS
I was a little concerned because of the number of people going. How ever this was never an issue at all. We were all very well looked after from before the trip started to the end. Hareesh, Hannah, Melissa and Yusuf were the perfect guides, teachers, and friends. Lots of powerful learning experiences all the way, combined with laughs, insites, new friends and a lot of love made this trip worth every cent. The best accommodation and delicious food to boot. Can’t recommend travelling with this mob more highly enough. Would love to do it all again.
By Gaye S for Journey into the Sacred Heartland of Yoga Hareesh and Hannah on Jan 17, 2019
WD
It was an incredible journey with deep experiences.
By Wendy D for Journey into the Sacred Heartland of Yoga Hareesh and Hannah on Jan 17, 2019
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