shivling view from nandavan
india

Pilgrimage to the source of the Ganges River

We invite you on a pilgrimage to the Indian Himalayas, to the places where the Ganges—the sacred river that has been regarded for millennia as a source of life, purification, and grace—has its source. We will journey to a landscape that Indian tradition calls Shivaloka—a realm of silence, glacial peaks, spring waters, and places where yogis and rishis have meditated for centuries. This journey is not merely a physical trek through the mountains, but also a space for stillness, sadhana, yoga practice, and an inner experience that cannot be conveyed in words.

Swami Shri Avatarpuriji Maharaj, the designated successor of Vishwaguru Maheshwaranandji, founder of the Yoga in Daily Life system and creator of the Om Ashram, has also confirmed his participation in this pilgrimage.

Journey details

Length of stay

13 days

Price

€1450

May 30 – June 13

Date

⤷ Sign up
Contact us

Journey itinerary

■

SURYA KUNT

SHIVLING

GAUMUKH

  • Rishikesh – the first encounter with the Ganges and a sacred bath, the evening Ganga Aarti at Shatrughan Ghat

  • Uttarkashi – a mountain town on the Bhagirathi River, home to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Shiva Temple and one of the 51 Shakti Peeths – a site dedicated to the Divine Mother

  • Gangotri (3,050 m) – the Gangotri Temple, the morning and evening atmosphere of the pilgrimage site, cedar forests, and the Surya Kund area

  • Trek into the high mountains – a gradual descent into the mountain landscape – Chirbasa, Bhojbasa, Gaumukh – the source of the Ganges and one of the longest glaciers in the Indian Himalayas, the Gangotri Glacier

  • Tapovan (4,320 m) – an alpine meadow beneath Mount Shivling with views of the Bhagirathi and Meru mountains – a space for sadhana, meditation, and yoga practice

  • Return to the Bhahirathi River and descent via the same route – time to integrate the experience

  • Haridwar – final Ganga Arati at Har Ki Pauri, possibly a morning bath in the Ganges and a visit to the bazaar – return from the mountains back to civilization

RISHIKESH

VALLEY OF BHAGÍRATHI

KASHI VISHWANATH

[ MORE INFORMATION ]

🚍 Transport

The tour begins on May 31, 2026, with individual arrivals in Dehradun (ideally around noon) and ends on June 12, 2026, with transportation to Dehradun Airport. We are happy to provide recommendations for both international and domestic flights to anyone interested in more detailed information about the tour. We will travel from Dehradun to Gangotri and back in air-conditioned minibuses or taxis.

After the tour ends, you can continue on your own:

– by international flight home (we can help arrange accommodation in Delhi, including transfers to/from the airport, for approximately 50 EUR),

– or to Om Ashram in Jadan (Rajasthan),

– or for an Ayurvedic wellness or therapeutic stay at one of our partner centers.

🍽️ Meals

Full board is provided throughout the entire pilgrimage—breakfast, lunch, and dinner at trusted restaurants or hotel dining halls. Up in the mountains, our meals will be prepared by experienced local chefs who can conjure up hearty meals right in the heart of nature. We will serve traditional Indian lacto-vegetarian cuisine, mildly spiced and tailored to the group.

🛏️ Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in standard mid-range hotels and guesthouses, mostly in double rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning. In the mountains, we will stay in high-quality two-person tents, each equipped with a standard foam sleeping pad. There will also be tent toilets at the camp. We will be without cell service and electricity for 7 days in the mountains.