Kumbh Retreat
Location
Kumb Retreat
Group 1
6 - 11 Feb
Limited spots available now!!
Group 2
13 - 17 Feb
Sold out
Energy is everything!!
It’s with this in mind, humanity congregate at places of worship and festivals to raise the energy of a place that offers peace and healing. The reverence of the river Ganga (Ganges) and Yamuna as sacred rivers can be seen in Prayagraj and every twelve years its significance amplifies in the form of Kumbh Mela.
For over 2,500 years millions of seekers and holy men from around India come down to the plains of Prayagraj to transform this place into a melting pot (Kumbh) for spirituality.
Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj
Kumbh Mela, is the largest gathering of humanity, attracting over 70 million people over 49 days, to take a dip and bathe at the junction of the two rivers (Ganges & Yamuna) and the mythical river Saraswati.
The mela starts on the 14th of January and finishes in March, and whilst the entire period is considered auspicious, there are six dates when the communal dip holds greater significance. The esoteric meaning of the confluence of these rivers and the significance of taking a dip during Kumbh is a deep spiritual concept that we are looking forward to sharing with our guests.
Astrologically speaking, the Kumbh Mela is Prayagraj is held in the middle of winter, when Jupiter enters in Taurus (or Vrishabha) and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn (or Makra). The location of these rivers makes the Kumbh Mela the largest and most auspicious of the four melas.
Varanasi
The city of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Over the next two days, we’ll delve into some of the oldest parts of the city, discover the winding alleyways and the ghat’s on the majestic river Ganga , and engaging with its vibrant community.
Itinerary at a Glance
06 Feb Arrive Prayagraj.
06 Feb Prayagraj transfer to Luxury tent Camp.
07 Feb Prayagraj stay in Luxury Tent.
08 Feb Prayagraj stay in Luxury Tent.
09 Feb Transfer from Prayagraj to Varanasi (Approx 2.5 hours) – stay in 5 Star Hotel.
10 Feb Varanasi – 5 Star Hotel.
11 Feb Transfer to Varanasi Airport for flight back
Physical difficulty:
Easy (Light physical activity, that doesn’t require much skill. Suitable for children over 12 and older people).
What’s Included
- 3 nights in a Luxury Tent at the Kumbh Mela ground.
- 2 nights in a 5-star hotel in Varanasi (Including all meals)
- All accommodation based on twin / double sharing.
- Butler Service in the Kumbh Mela tents.
- Private guides exclusive to our group.
- All domestic airport transfers (Prayagraj & Varanasi)
- Full board including all vegetarian meals, snacks, tea & coffee and soft beverages*
- 3 interactive sessions with Sadhu’s and spiritually enlightened masters.
- Boating 2 x Kumbh mela and 2 x Varanasi.
- Yoga sessions (Yoga Mats Provided)
- All currently applicable taxes
*Due to all camps being situated on holy grounds, all meals will be vegetarian and there is a zero alcohol policy.
What’s Excluded
- Travel & cancellation insurance
- Tips & gratuities for staff in camps and guides (all private encounters on the festival ground will be compensated by us)
- Tips and Porterage at airport/hotels
- Any additional excursions, not mentioned in the itinerary above
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, shopping etc.
- Any other expense/changes due to unforeseen circumstances while in India
Schedule
Day 1 – 06 Feb
Arrival at Prayagraj
Meet and Greet in Prayagraj Private Tented Camp (L,D)
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12 PM: (suggested arrival time by Flight)
On arrival in Prayagraj, you will be greeted by your tour group and transported to your luxury tent accommodation on the banks of the Ganges, at the Kumbh Mela. Private car transfer. -
Afternoon:
After checking in, freshen up and have a meal at the camp, where the tents are located. Head out to the Kumbh Mela to acquaint ourselves with the festival grounds and our surroundings to take in the festival as we make our way towards the bank of the river Ganges to see the sunset and the evening routine of the devotees. -
Evening:
Dinner at the camp followed by a bon fire catch up to unpack some of the observations from the day, discuss the history, religious significance, and the esoteric meaning of the Kumbh mela and also share the next day’s program.
Day 2 – 07 Feb
Kumbh Mela
Private Tented Camp (B,L,D)
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6 AM:
Start your morning, waking up to the sounds of chants and religious hymns, followed by an energizing yoga session with Neelanjana. After breakfast, our car transfer awaits to take us to one or two of the major Akhara’s where we get to see and interact with some of the most devout and austere ascetics who grace the mela with their presence. Head back to the car for our transfer to the ghat for a boat ride on the Ganges. We also have an opportunity to explore the bustling streets with religious camps, shops and performers. -
Afternoon:
Packed picnic lunch on the river After our boat ride, we head to Parmarth Niketan, located on the other side of the river. After some refreshments at Parmarth Niketan and exploring this newly developed area and Sanskriti Gram (Cultural Village) to see an exhibition showcasing Indian culture, history and heritage. Then we make our way to the Ghat for Ganga Arti (around 5 PM), which is a beautiful act of worship of divine mother Ganga. After the arti, car transfer back to the camp for dinner.
Private car Transfer to camp -
Evening:
After dinner, we gather around the bon fire for Satsang, to assimilate today’s experiences and share more deep esoteric insights on the importance of the Kumbh Mela, the mythology and profound meaning of the confluence of the rivers and its association with Yoga and spirituality.
Day 3 – 08 Feb
Kumbh Mela
Private Tented Camp (B,L,D)
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Morning:
Our day begins with another energizing yoga session and after breakfast we head out for a boat ride to take a dip in the Ganges (Optional). Once we reach the ghat, we will take a boat ride to Sangam (Meeting point of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers). If you feel up to it and wish to take a dip, please pack your change of clothes. Otherwise, sit back in the boat and be mesmerised by the acts of faith and devotion and just soak in the early morning sun and the ambience of the festival on the river. After our boat ride, we walk through the markets and explore one of the largest forts built by King Akbar in the 16th century and also visit some of ancient temples of great significance. -
Afternoon:
After lunch, we visit Sanskriti Gram (or Cultural village) to see an exhibition showcasing Indian culture, history and heritage. Most of the artifacts are generally hand made on site by talented artisans from around India. As we traverse through the mela, we will check out the local markets, the various bhandara’s* where thousands of people are fed for free, amazing sadhu’s performing yogic feats and many other cultural performances (Like the Ram Leela) providing fun and entertainment for the visitors. -
Evening:
For our final evening at the Kumbh, we will head out to see some of the highlights of the city of Prayagraj and have family dinner at one of the most esteemed establishments in the city.
Day 4 – 09 Feb
Leave for Varanasi
Car Transfer to Varanasi
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Morning:
Leisurely morning with an optional breathwork and meditation session, then meet for Breakfast and prepare for checkout.
Check out and leave for Varanasi -
Afternoon:
Check in and lunch at the Hotel. -
Evening:
Car transfer to the Ghat for Ganga Aarti Meet our guide who will show and share some interesting facts and sites of the ancient city of Banaras and its rich religious and spiritual heritage.
Ganga Aarti: We take a boat ride on the Ganges to watch the Ganga Aarti which is performed on the steps of the Dashaswamedh Ghat. The priests dressed in saffron silk robes, conduct this ceremony with great synchronicity, using snake hood oil lamps and chanting mantras in reverence of Mother Ganges. To add to the mesmerising experience, visitors add to the ambience by offering thousands of oil lamps that float on the river.
After the Aarti, transfer to Restaurant for Dinner
Day 5 – 10 Feb
Varanasi
5 Star Hotel (B,L,D)
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5.30 AM:
An early start that takes us on a boat ride to watch the beautiful sunrise on the Ganges. After breakfast, at the hotel we meet our expert guide for a street tour of the ancient city of Kashi, (Now called Varanasi) followed by a visit to the Kashi Vishvanath Temple, that’s dedicated to Lord Shiva (Remember to keep your passport or a photo ID for police checks at the temple) Today we also visit a house in the old city to see how they were built and also get a glimpse into their lifestyle -
Lunch – Enjoy a traditional Lunch
Afternoon: After lunch, we Leave for Sarnath, which is 20 kms from the city of Varanasi. This is the place where Buddha preached his first sermon to his five followers and is considered the birthplace of Buddhism. Explore the surrounds and see the many stupas and monuments built by King Ashok to spread the teachings of Buddhism. -
Evening:
Visit one of the silk stores to see Varanasi’s unique style of silk weaving, known as Benarsi silk, followed by a relaxing evening with drinks and dinner.
Car transfer back to Hotel
Day 6 – 11 Feb
End of Tour
Private Tented Camp (B,L,D)
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8.00 AM Relaxed morning.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, then prepare to check out and leave for Varanasi airport or your onward journey after the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Question?
During February, the temperature in Prayagraj and Varanasi ranges from around 15°C (59°F) to 27°C (81°F) during the day. However, temperatures can drop a bit lower during the evenings and nights.
February is usually characterized by clear skies and minimal rainfall. It’s a dry month, with low humidity levels, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
During the day, light layers are recommended, such as long-sleeved shirts or tops, along with a light jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings. It’s also a good idea to pack some warmer clothes for early morning or late evenings when temperatures may be cooler.
Hindi is the most widely spoken language in North India and serves as the lingua franca for communication across the region. It is the official language of the Indian government and is spoken by a large majority of the population in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.
The currency of India is the Indian Rupee, abbreviated as INR. The symbol for the Indian Rupee is “₹”. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupees. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and rupees.
Payment – secure your booking with a 50% deposit at time of booking. Final payment must be made by 15 September 2024 or within 45 days of initial booking date, which comes sooner.
Bookings made after 15 September require full payment at time of booking.
Cancellation – we understand, circumstances and plans change and if you need to cancel, the following cancellation conditions apply
Cancellation before 15 July 24 – full refund.
Cancellation before 30 September 24 – 50% cancellation fee
Cancellation after 30 September but before 30 November 24 – 75% cancellation fee
Cancellation after 30 November 24 – Non Refundable.