Yogananda Pilgrimage in India

All hotels, restaurants, and menus have been personally inspected by Ananda. We’ll stay in clean, Western-style, comfortable but not luxurious 2- or 3-star hotel rooms with attached bath, and central heating where needed. In the mountains the variety of fruits and vegetables is limited. Still, hotel buffet meals include simple but healthy Indian, Western, and Asian dishes.

We’ll fly from Delhi to Leh (capital of Ladakh), about 1 hour each way. Transportation within Ladakh will be by air-conditioned bus or SUV, on good roads, driving 2 – 4 hours a day for two days.

Transportation up to Badrinath includes air-conditioned train the first afternoon, followed by 12 – 14 hours of driving by air-conditioned SUV, spread over two days. The road to Badrinath is spectacularly scenic, but often curving. Washouts during the monsoon season are never fully repaired, making the road paved for most of the distance, but also with long gravel stretches, sometimes in poor condition. Our drivers are well-experienced with these roads, and we’ll have a very experienced local guide we have worked with for almost 30 years of Ananda Himalayan pilgrimages, but this is definitely a mountain adventure.

Leh is at an elevation of 11,500 feet. Arriving by flight requires a 12- to 24-hour acclimatization period to adjust to the elevation and thin air. We’ll spend our first day resting, drinking extra water, and having light, optional activity within the town of Leh. By taking this rest period, most people have little discomfort. You should consult your doctor if you have a chronic problem that could be affected by elevation. There is no need to walk long distances, but both Ladakh and Badrinath involve climbing many stairs. Those with asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, lung or heart conditions should consult their doctors and may need to limit their activity. You may choose to arrive in India a day or two earlier than the group if you would like extra time to rest and get over jetlag, before ascending to this elevation. This would cost just $100-150 per day extra. Badrinath is only slightly lower than Ladakh, at 10,000 feet, but we make our ascent gradually by road. Also in Badrinath, hiking is optional, and you can have a thoroughly enjoyable time without long walks.

You will need a passport that is valid until March 2026. If yours expires before March 2026, you must renew it before you request your visa. If you need a new passport, or need to renew one, do so immediately by going to travel.state.gov. You will find instructions there.

All our travel will be within India. You’ll need a visa for India, but no other special permits. The easiest way to obtain a visa is to apply for an eVisa, and we can provide you support for that process. Or if you live near a local Indian Embassy you can visit in person. Check www.cgisf.org

Your own meditation practice will enhance the pilgrimage experience, but is not necessary to deeply enjoy this trip. A love of adventure, high mountains, natural beauty, ancient cultures, spiritual traditions, and silence is all that is needed. Optional group meditations are offered most days.

You should be moderately fit, without health conditions liable to be affected by elevations up to 11,500 feet. All destinations involve climbing many stairs, at your own pace. Extensive walking is not required. Longer hikes are optional.

Travelling in the high mountains one must expect the unexpected, and flexibility is a key item to pack in your suitcase. Daytime weather is usually mild, but can also change suddenly. Roads are occasionally blocked by falling rock, which may cause delay or change of plans.