INDIA
Sacred India: In the Land of the Gita
Discovering the Roots of Yoga · North India · February 2027
- Dates: 14–27 February 2027 (Phase 1)
- Duration: 14 days + optional yoga week in Rishikesh
- Group: Maximum 15 participants
Phase 1 — the pilgrimage, in four stages
The shape of the journey
This is not a sightseeing tour with a spiritual veneer.
The sequence of places is the teaching itself: arrival, the Gita spoken, the land of Krishna, the Ganga, and the Buddha’s awakening.
Delhi — Arrival and the First Temple
Ārambha · the beginning
Across two days, Delhi holds many worlds — the Mughal grandeur of Humayun’s Tomb, the calm of the Lotus Temple, and your first Krishna temple at ISKCON Delhi, where the Bhagavad Gita opens the way.
- Delhi
- 2 Nights
Kurukshetra — Where Krishna Spoke the Gita
Jñāna · knowledge
The field of the Mahabharata, and Jyotisar — the spot where Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna and revealed his universal form. The philosophical source of the journey.
- Kurukshetra
- 2 Nights
Vrindavan — In the Land of Krishna
Bhakti · devotion
Five days in Braj, where Krishna lived: the temples of Vrindavan, the birthplace at Mathura, the circumambulation of Govardhan, and the villages of Barsana and Nandgaon.
- Vrindavan · Mathura · Govardhan
- 5 Nights
Varanasi — Sunrise on the Ganga
Moksha · liberation
- Varanasi & Sarnath
- 3 Nights
Optional Yoga Week in Rishikesh
Yoga Week in Rishikesh
Yoga
A residential yoga week in the Himalayan foothills — daily hatha yoga, pranayama, philosophy, and meditation on the banks of the Ganga — culminating on Maha Shivaratri, during the season of the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest.
- Rishikesh
- 7 Nights
View Our past trips
WHEN TO GO · FEBRUARY 2027
The calendar does
most of the choosing
February is the cool, dry heart of the North Indian season — comfortable on the plains, crisp in the foothills, and clear of the Holi crowds (Holi falls on 22 March). The dates are set so the optional yoga week in Rishikesh contains Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, and falls within the season of the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest.
Main Program
PHASE 1
14-day
14 to 27 February, 2027
The route
- Delhi — 2 nights
- Kurukshetra — 2 nights
- Agra (Taj Mahal) — 1 night
- Vrindavan / Braj — 5 nights
- Varanasi & Sarnath — 3 nights
Optional
PHASE 2
7-day
Rishikesh yoga week
28 February to 7 March, 2027
The route
- Rishikesh — 7-day yoga week
- Kirtan Fest — Feb 12th to March 28th
- March 6th Mahashivrati celebration
DAY BY DAY
Phase 1
Delhi — arrival & the layered capital (2 nights)
Day 1
Sun 14 Feb — Arrival.
Arrive in Delhi, rest, gentle evening
DAY 2
Mon 15 Feb — Delhi.
Humayun’s Tomb and the Mughal legacy, the Lotus Temple, and ISKCON Delhi (Bhagavad Gita exhibits, evening aarti).
Kurukshetra — where the Gita was spoken (2 nights)
Day 3
Tue 16 Feb — To Kurukshetra.
Transfer (~3.5h). Brahma Sarovar; evening sound-and-light retelling of the Mahabharata at Jyotisar.
DAY 4
Wed 17 Feb — Kurukshetra.
Jyotisar (where Krishna delivered the Gita to Arjuna), Sannihit Sarovar, Sthaneshwar Mahadev, Bhishma Kund, Krishna Museum; afternoon reflection.
Agra — the Taj (1 night)
Day 5
Thu 18 Feb — To Agra.
Fast train via Delhi. Taj Mahal at sunset.
Braj / Vrindavan — the land of Krishna (5 nights)
Day 6
Fri 19 Feb — Agra → Vrindavan.
Taj at sunrise, Agra Fort, transfer to Vrindavan.
DAY 7
Sat 20 Feb — Vrindavan.
Banke Bihari, Radha Raman, ISKCON Vrindavan; Prem Mandir evening aarti.
Day 8
Sun 21 Feb — Mathura & Gokul.
Krishna Janmabhoomi, Dwarkadhish, Vishram Ghat; Gokul.
DAY 9
Mon 22 Feb — Govardhan.
Govardhan Parikrama, Kusum Sarovar, Radha Kund.
Day 10
Tue 23 Feb — Barsana & Nandgaon.
Radha’s and Krishna’s foster villages; evening kirtan.
Varanasi & Sarnath — the Ganga (3 nights)
Day 11
Wed 24 Feb — To Varanasi.
Morning flight via Delhi (or overnight train). First walk along the ghats at dusk.
DAY 12
Thu 25 Feb — Varanasi.
Sunrise boat on the Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath, evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh.
Day 13
Fri 26 Feb — Sarnath.
Where the Buddha gave his first teaching (Dhamek Stupa); afternoon reflection in Varanasi.
Close (Varanasi)
Day 14
Sat 27 Feb — Closing.
Phase 1 closing circle in Varanasi; departures. Participants continuing to Phase 2 stay overnight in Varanasi.
Transition to Phase 2
Sun 28 Feb — To Rishikesh.
Fly Varanasi to Dehradun (via Delhi); road transfer to Rishikesh; check in.
DAY BY DAY
The Yoga Week in Rishikesh
Phase 2 · optional
A residential immersion in the Himalayan foothills — yogic science, pranayama, hatha yoga, yoga philosophy, and meditation, with periods of silence — culminating on Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, and including evening sessions at the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest. Best joined as a continuation of the pilgrimage; no sightseeing during the week.
Rishikesh yoga week
Day 1
Sun 28 Feb — Arrival & orientation.
Travel from Varanasi; settle in; gentle opening practice; evening Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan / Triveni Ghat.
DAY 2
Mon 1 Mar — Foundations.
Yogic science; pranayama; hatha yoga; philosophy.
Day 3
Tue 2 Mar — Deepening.
Practice; meditation; teachings. Evening session at the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest.
DAY 4
Wed 3 Mar — Practice & the cave.
Optional Vashishta Gufa meditation excursion.
Day 5
Thu 4 Mar — Silence.
Practice with an extended period of silence and reflection.
DAY 6
Fri 5 Mar — Preparation.
Practice; teachings on Shiva and the meaning of Maha Shivaratri. Evening session at the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest.
Day 7
Sat 6 Mar — Maha Shivaratri.
Gentle daytime practice and rest. Evening: Shivaratri ceremonies, aarti, and (for those who wish) the all-night vigil in Rishikesh.
Departure
Sun 7 Mar.
Slow morning; transfer to Dehradun; onward journey.
Our Team
Facilitator
Anthony Tatekawa
Founder of the Transcendent Institute. Psychologist specialized in integrative psychotherapy and yoga certified teacher.
Farah Diva
Instructor
Holly
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
A few honest practicalities
Weather
February is cool and dry on the plains and crisp in the foothills — pleasant days, cold early mornings. Bring genuine warmth for dawn starts and the Rishikesh week.
Pace
Deliberately unhurried. The Braj days, the Govardhan walk, and the Varanasi mornings are built for reflection, not coverage.
FITNESS
Moderate. Expect walking on uneven ground, temple steps, early mornings, and the Govardhan circumambulation, which can be shortened.
RESPECT
Modest dress for temples; some inner sanctums restrict photography and non-Hindu entry.
From the field where the Gita was spoken to the river where it ends.
Kurukshetra, Vrindavan, Varanasi — knowledge, devotion, liberation. If the shape of the journey feels right, the next step is to hold your place for February.
Secure Your Spot
Phase 1
14-day pilgrimage
€2900
Shared (twin): €2900 | Private (single room): €3300
INCLUDED
- The full 14-day facilitated pilgrimage program (Phase 1)
- Accommodation throughout — shared rooms (private rooms on the Private option)
- Selected hotels and ashram guesthouses along the route
- Daily breakfast and most meals (predominantly vegetarian)
- Private group transport, plus the internal flight or train to Varanasi
- Guided temple and site visits with local specialists
- Included ceremonies and experiences (Ganga aarti, sunrise boat ride, Jyotisar, and more)
NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Indian e-visa and travel insurance (required)
- Lunches on transit days, drinks, and personal expenses
- Single-occupancy supplement (Shared option only)
- Phase 2 (Rishikesh) unless added
Reserve with a 30% deposit. Balance due [CONFIRM date]. Cancellation terms: [CONFIRM].
Phase 2 — Yoga Week in Rishikesh
Phase 2 (optional Rishikesh yoga week)
from €550
Private room €650
INCLUDED
- 1 week Yoga training immersion
- Massage and sound healing sessions
- Accommodation throughout — shared rooms (private rooms on the Private option)
- Daily breakfast and most meals (predominantly vegetarian)
- Private group transport, plus the flight to Dehradun and road transfer to Rishikesh
- Guided temple and site visits with local specialists
- Evening sessions at the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest and the Maha Shivaratri ceremonies
NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Indian e-visa and travel insurance (required)
- Lunches on transit days, drinks, and personal expenses
- Single-occupancy supplement (Shared option only)
Reserve with a 30% deposit. Balance due [CONFIRM date]. Cancellation terms: [CONFIRM].
Who this journey is for
- Travelers drawn to self-discovery through devotion, philosophy, and sacred landscape.
- Facilitators, therapists, and integration professionals seeking contemplative depth.
- Anyone drawn to bhakti, meditation, and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
- Those wishing to step out of routine into stillness and reflection.
- Students of Krishna-consciousness, yoga philosophy, and India’s living traditions.
North India’s sacred geography — Braj, the Ganga, the field of the Gita — is among the oldest continuously living spiritual landscapes on earth.
Reserve your place
Join an intimate circle of seekers for a contemplative pilgrimage into the heart of sacred India.
Deposit: 30% · Limited to 15 participants
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if this journey is right for me?
What exactly am I booking?
Participation in a facilitated small-group pilgrimage through North India, 14–27 February 2027 (Phase 1), led by Anthony Tatekawa / Transcendent Institute [CONFIRM any local co-facilitator or retreat partner]. We act as facilitators and coordinators, not a travel agency.