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10 Trips to Sooth Your Soul

If it’s inner peace, rejuvenation and enlightenment you’re after –- together with a new passport stamp -– take to the road for these spiritually uplifting experiences.

They promise to bear fruit long after you return home.

1. Amarnath Cave Trek: Kashmir, India 

A group of soul-seekers hike up the mountains of Kashmir.

This annual pilgrimage takes place every summer -- depending on the political situation -- high in the mountains of Kashmir.

Thousands of devotees walk to the Amarnath Cave to see the Shiva-lingam, a miraculous phallic-shaped manifestation of the Hindu God Lord Shiva (formed by an ice stalagmite). As legend has it, Shiva came here to share the secret of eternity with his bride Parvati.

The trek is a challenge -– mostly vertical, up mountain slopes, and at an altitude of around 4,000 meters. But while the going can be tough, the camaraderie and kindness you’ll experience en route are manna for the soul.

Rates: Tailored to your trip

Indus Discoveries; +91 11 4166 4082; www.indusdiscoveries.com

(NB: Please check travel advisories before traveling to Kashmir)

2. Meditation retreat: Bali, Indonesia

Rejuvenate your body and mind in Bali.

The sacred island, known for its magical energy, is a magnet for spiritual seekers.

It’s the ideal setting for a nurturing yoga and meditation retreat. Every morning you rise with the sun, meditate and explore postures to develop flexibility, self-love and inner calm.

However the last quality may be tested on a trip to the Bat Cave temple -– where a mythical giant snake Naga Basuki is said to reside.

With massages, cookery classes, visits to holy waters and village walks, you will return with mind and body restored.

Rates: A 10-night trip for two people costs from US$3,898

Spirit Tours;  +1 866 566 8078; www.spirit-tour.com

3. Fasting and feasting: Sinai Desert, Egypt

Spend some time in silent contemplation in the pristine Sinai Desert.

If you have hermit-like tendencies, or are simply craving solitude, embark on a cleansing, fasting retreat in the pristine Sinai Desert.

You’ll be following in the footsteps of the saints and seekers who, over the centuries, have holed up among the sand dunes and caves here in silent contemplation.

For three days and three nights your tummy may be empty –- but you won’t be starved for inspiration -– you’ll feast on the scenery: wind-sculpted mountains and a night sky brimming with constellations.

And at a distance, your Bedouin carers will keep a caring, watchful eye over you. 

Rates: An eight-day trip costs from US$1,265

The Makhad Trust; +44 (0)1242 544 546; www.makhad.org

4. Drink Ayahuasca and detoxify: Sussex, England

The Rain Queen Mother personalizes every detoxification.

A potent healing medicine, made from the Ayahuasca vine and the leaf of the Chacruna plant, and collected from the jungles of the Amazon, is at the centre of this retreat. It causes purging as a means of removing toxins.

Ayamama Rain Queen, a gifted shaman who orchestrates the safe, highly personalized, one-to-one healing retreats at the Wellbeing and Cermonial Sanctuary in England, believes Ayahuasca can enable anyone who drinks it to access higher levels of emotional intelligence and foster a deeper connection with nature.

Not for the faint-hearted, but mind-blowing and truly transformative.

Rates: A three-night retreat costs from US$890

Wellbeing and Ceremonial Sanctuary; +44 (0)75 8146 2905; www.herbalandwellbeingsanctuary.com

5. Walk the Way of St. James: Spain

Follow the Camino to experience cosmic revelations.

This network of hiking routes to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain -– also known as The Camino –- has been traversed for thousands of years by pilgrims looking for a retreat from daily life, or as a spiritual discipline.

Some say The Camino lies directly under the Milky Way and follows ley lines.

Featured in "The Way", starring Martin Sheen, and in "The Camino", a book by actress Shirley MacLaine recording her mystical experiences en route, the landscapes vary from rugged alpine scenery to coastline, fishing villages and hills.

It’s the perfect opportunity for an inner journey –- and recalling Ms MacLaine –- to experience cosmic revelations.

Rates: A seven-night hike costs from US$1,600

Foot Abroad Dublin; +353 1 443 3972; www.followthecamino.com

6. Commune with the oracle and Sufi poet Hafez: Shiraz, Iran

It's a popular custom to recite the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez.

The city of Shiraz is the resting place of the great 14th century Sufi poet Hafez. Mysticism and love feature in his poetry and many devotees see him as an oracle.

A popular custom is to open a page of his verse at random, read it and divine your fortune in his words. The best place to have a go is at his tomb in the exquisitely pretty flower-filled Musalla Gardens, at sunset.

Join the dozens of hopeful young women who sit here clutching their copy of Hafez. Not only will you find spiritual sustenance in his words, but you’ll be heartened by the warmth of your fellow romantics.

Rates: A 16-day trip costs from US$3,986

Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd; +44 (0)20 7736 3968; www.wildfrontiers.co.uk

7. Drink healing waters: Cornwall, England

The magnificent waterfall splashes into a basin.

As legend has it, this sacred, healing waterfall, close to Tintagel, on England’s windswept Cornish coast was once home to St. Nectan. He was a 5th century monk, who blessed the Knights of the Round Table before they set off in search of the Holy Grail.

Getting to the falls involves a 1,600-meter walk through a wooded glen, where visitors have reported seeing visions of orbs, monks, a man in a medieval gear and a gray lady.

The waterfall tumbles into a basin and people from around the world beat a path here to bathe in its waters, said to cure physical and emotional ailments.

Post splash, you can meditate in what was once the monk’s chapel.

VisitCornwall; +44 (0)18 7232 2900; www.visitcornwall.com

8. Stay in a Buddhist monastery: Koyasan, Japan

Soak up the fresh air, peace and quiet in this Japanese monastery.

Mount Koyasan is the spiritual heartland of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism –- an ancient branch of the religion.

It’s also the ideal place for a stay at a temple lodging. If you’re exploring your own beliefs, want some insight into the lives the monks lead, or simply want to soak up the fresh air, peace and quiet, you’ll be in your element.

At Rengejoin Temple, sleep on a futon in rooms with wafer-thin sliding walls, wake at dawn to join the monks in meditation and once your soul has been fed, dine on Shojin Ryori, the vegetarian cuisine of the monks.

You’ll arrive gritty-eyed and leave glowing. 

Rates: A two-week Taste of Japan tour costs from US$4,344

Intrepid Travel; +1 800 970 7299; www.intrepidtravel.com 

9. Visit a shaman: Mongolia

The Tsaatan tribe is a true community of nomadic reindeer herders.

Mongolia’s forested Taiga lands are home to the teepee-dwelling Tsaatan tribe -– a community of nomadic reindeer herders.

Spiritually speaking, the Tsaatan rely on their shaman, who communicate with spirits, ancestors or nature, for advice and healing.

Join a riding expedition to the Taiga, travel through valleys, mountains and around lakes, and as the highlight of the trip, visit the home of a local shaman.

You’ll see them at work, learn about their abilities and practices –- and if you’re lucky, participate in a ritual yourself.

Rates: A 15-day trip costs from US$3,680

Panoramic Journeys; +44 (0)16 0881 1183; www.panoramicjourneys.com

10. Explore sacred temples: Khajurao, India

One of the exquisitely sculptured sandstone Jain temples.

Dating back to the 10th and 11th century, the erotic temples of Khajuraho in India’s northern Madhya Pradesh are a sure indication that the Kama Sutra originated in the sub-continent.

Visit the exquisitely sculptured sandstone Jain temples covered with erotica.

They celebrate love, and provide an insight into ancient Tantric practices -– more than sex, it’s an ancient route to enlightenment, which also takes in the holy city of Varanasi and the sacred Ganges river.

Rates: A five-day Sacred India package costs from US$1,203

Travel the Unknown; +44 (0)20 8823 0705; www.traveltheunknown.com

Read more: 10 trips to soothe your soul #2 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/ten-trips-save-your-soul-581368?page=0,1&hpt=tr_c2#ixzz1T05kls9o

Experience Nepal

Visitors to Nepal often choose to return again and again, for it's breathtaking beauty, friendly hospitality and the extra-special something which can really make a holiday something to remember. But why is this? And what can you expect form Nepal holidays. This article looks at four top activities that will give you a great over all feel for a country and that will pack your trip full of excitement and adventure.

First up is a look at the history and architecture of this fantastic region. The architectural styling of Nepalese buildings has long been considered an art form in its own right, and it's easy to see why with their sweeping, layered, timber roofs and carved timber posts. One such example of this fantastic Nepalese styling can be seen in the "Krishna mandir" of Patan, a beautiful building built of stone and featuring many incredible carvings.

Next up is a look at the fantastic wildlife of the region by going out on a jungle safari! Nepal is well known for having several rare species of animal. Have a trip out to see the fantastic one horned rhinoceros or the Bengal tiger, protected in the Royal Chitwan national park or have a trip out on one of the fascinating bird safaris to see the great migrations the occur every year.

If you're looking for something a little more active then the next activity might take your fancy. Trekking, arguably the activity that Nepal is most famous for. The country is famous world wide for its breath taking mountain scenery and the large number of brilliant trekking routes, including routes around some of the world's tallest mountains. If you're feeling a little braver you can even head out on one of the Everest base camp treks and experience something not many people get to.

And finally, in line with the trekking up mountains, we have climbing. If trekking sounds good but you want to take it that little bit further then climbing might well be for you. This fairly intensive activity can allow you to reach spots that afford some of the most breath-taking views in the world, with climbing being the ultimate adventure for many people. The peaks in Nepal offer a wide range of climbing, although not many climbs are suitable for novices.

There are many other activities that you can try in Nepal too, this article just scratches the surface with some of the most recommended, and it makes for a fantastic holiday for all the family no matter your level of activity.

The adventure company offers a range of Nepal holidays as well as fantastic Everest base camp treks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6443950