Camping and Yoga Safari

Arusha

Day 1 – Arrival in Arusha You will meet us at our Tropical Trails office, unless you wish for us to pick you up at the airport. In this case, let us know about your flight details and we will organize a pick up (with a supplement). You’ll be taken to your accommodation just outside Arusha.  Standing at an altitude of 1390m, the town is surrounded by fertile land that yields coffee, wheat and maize to the people of the Waarusha and Wameru tribes. It is one of Tanzania’s most attractive and lively towns. Stay overnight in our own Lodge, Karama Lodge in bed and breakfast - www.karama-lodge.com You will meet Marcelo Vega who will introduce you to the yoga program on this tour and will give you a methodology session that will include: Asana (body postures) Pranayama (breathing techniques) Mudras (physical and mental gestures) Bandhas (energy locks) for advance practitioners Shatkarma (cleansing techniques) Mantra (vibrating sound technique with melodic, mathematically & structured meters ) Tantric Meditation Vedanta Meditation Discussion around yoga philosophy. Tantric Meditation: it focuses on the visualization of moving cosmic and personal energy through the spine and all the levels of the chakras. The energy can be used to unblock energy paths to heal the physical and mental-emotional bodies. Through the use of breathing techniques you will be able to amplify energy and work on visualizations, mantras, music and sacred geometry. Performing group tantric meditation sessions increases the effectiveness, as everyone's energy works together as a reflection to unlock the blockages for the whole group. Vedanta Meditation aims to bring us back to the original state of unity, in which all beings abide in the Self within the heart. It involves meditating upon suffering and removing its cause. Vedanta regards ignorance of our true Self as the cause of all our life problems. Because we don't know our true Self, which is pure awareness beyond the body and mind, we must suffer, seeking to find happiness in the shifting external world. By returning to our true Self we can transcend psychological suffering and detach ourselves from any possible physical suffering as well. The pain of body and mind does not belong to the Self that is beyond time and space. Vedanta has a profound understanding of the different layers and functions of the mind, from what we call the unconscious to the highest super-consciousness, for which it has a precise terminology. It recognizes the role of samskaras, the tendencies created in previous births, as causing our present condition and its difficulties as well as rewards. Vedanta sees fear and desire as the main roots of the mind that get us caught in the cycle of rebirth. It regards the ego or the false I, the I identified with the body, as the basis of these problems. Another part of Vedanta meditation is clearing our minds of the afflictions and karmic residues that block the practice of meditation. This involves affirming our true Self, which is the master of the Universe beyond all fear and desire, birth and death.  

Lake Manyara | Ngorongoro Crater | Serengeti

Day 3 – Safari 2 Lake Manyara to Ndutu This morning, before breakfast, you will enjoy a yoga session: Shatkarma: Jala Neti (nasal irrigation) Mudra: Yoni (attitude of the womb or source) & Bhairava (fierce attitude) Mantra: Om - Guruvandana (Reverence for the teacher who brings the light) Asana: Physical postures to activate and stimulate the body and the mind Pranayama: Nadi Sodhana (alternate nostril breathing). It helps to bring the mind back to the present moment harmonizing the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which correlates to the logical and emotional sides of our personality. Vedantic Meditation: So Ham (Universal mantra as it relates to the breathing, and everybody’s breaths). It reduces stress in the autonomic nervous system. After breakfast, you will continue past Ngorongoro Crater to the Ndutu area which is part of the Serengeti eco-system but actually outside the southern boundaries of the park. This allows your driver/guide to take you off tracks and to come as close as possible to the animals without troubling them (within the park limits you have to stay on the marked tracks which can be frustrating). You will be able to enjoy the immense open plains but also very lovely marsh areas and forest where hundreds of bird species can be seen. You will have a picnic lunch and will have plenty of time to view the animals. You will arrive late afternoon at the location of your special camp site, in the hearth of wildlife. Do not be surprised if animals come to your tent door step, this is part of the charm of the place where you will share your adventure of the day around a camp fire. Marcelo will lead a class before the sunset: Mudra: Hridaya (heart gesture) Mantra: Om - Gayatri (to foster and sharpen the knowledge-yielding faculties) Asana: Physical postures to relax body and mind before going to sleep Pranayama: Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breath) to release stress and anxiety Tantra Meditation: Introduction to Prana Vidya (self healing guided visualization) to bring awareness of the vast stores of energy within the human body Dinner and overnight at a special camp site (where you will use your camping toilet and shower).  

Serengeti

Day 5 – Safari 4 Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area Today, before breakfast, you will enjoy a yoga session: Shatkarma: Jala Neti & Kapalbhati Mudra: Shanmukhi Mudra (closing the seven gates) Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya (it means  "I bow to Shiva." Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It  is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all.  Shiva is the name of your true identity- your self.  Asana: Physical postures to activate and stimulate the body and the mind Pranayama: Bhastrika & Surya Bedha (heating breath techniques) Tantra Meditation: Antar Mauna (inner silence) the technique involves creating, transforming and finally gaining control of the thought processes, activating the conscious mind After breakfast, you will take the road back to Ngorongoro and, in the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable safari into the Crater. Ngorongoro is one of the most picturesque settings for observing wildlife. With around 30,000 resident animals, the game viewing is excellent all year round and the viewing opportunities are unrivalled! Encounters with animals are frequent in this Garden of Eden, and there is a wide variety to see. Lake Magadi, the soda lake on the floor of the Crater, is home to thousands of Flamingos. This is also one of the best places to see the endangered Black Rhino. You will spend the afternoon into the crater (with picnic lunch) before heading to your camp for the night (with toilet facilities).  

Arusha | Tarangire

Day 7 – Safari 6 Tarangire to Arusha Today, after breakfast, you will enjoy a last yoga session Shatkarma: Jala Neti & Kapalbhati Mudra: Prana (Life) to improve life force. Mantra: Revision all mantras Asana: Physical postures to activate and stimulate the body and the mind Pranayama: Revision all techniques Tantric Meditation: Antar Mouna After the yoga session, you will enjoy a morning of game drive before leaving Tarangire National Park to cross the open plains back to Arusha on time to connect you to your  international flight. You will be taken back to Tropical Trails’ office. If you decided to stay for an overnight in Arusha, we can arrange for a short excursion on the slopes of Mount Meru or you can spend time discovering the art collection of the Cultural Heritage Center (optional but free) - http://www.culturalheritage.co.tz/. If you have a late flight, it will be possible to stay at Karama Lodge on a day room basis (free).   Our price: 1 car 2 cars 2 people trip = $2,860 per person 5 people trip = $1,995 per person 3 people trip = $2,185 per person 6 people trip = $1,695 per person 4 people trip = $1,830 per person 7 people trip = $1,650 per person This price includes: First night at Karama Lodge previous to the safari in B&B All National Park Fees, Private Safari in a 4x4 safari vehicle with professional driver/guide Bottles of Mineral water (1.5L per day and per person) Accommodation in the selected campsites in full board (except the first day on BB and the last day on BB), Camping equipment included, except the sleeping bag which can be rented for $20/person/trip All the yoga classes and activities   This price does not include: International flight The transfer to and from the International airport – if you wish to add this service – supplement of $140 for the 2 persons and two transfers (pick up from the International airport and drop off at the airport of the last day). Discretionary tipping, Alcohol, Cigarettes, laundry, items of a personal nature Visas, personal Travel Insurance, or anything not mentioned above  Prices quoted in US Dollars per person. For terms and conditions of payment please refer to our booking conditions. Please note that prices may be subject to change in the event of any change of Government Taxes and National Park Fees. Tropical Trails reserves the right to adjust these rates accordingly   Your tutor: Marcelo Alejandro Vega Gomez is the Founder and General Coordinator of Yoga Pura Vida. A hugely dedicated being who wishes to spread the knowledge of Traditional Yoga through his international projects, bringing peace, health, well-being and harmony in today’s society. A 46 year old internationally accredited Senior Traditional Yoga Teacher, Therapist and Fitness Consultant. He was born in Argentina, but has lived and worked all around the world. At the early age of 8 years old, he developed a keen interest for physical activities and started to train in Martial arts and various kinds of sports. By the age of 21 he moved to Spain and became a fitness trainer, studying with the Spanish bodybuilding and weightlifting Federation. In 2002 he moved to Indonesia and started the practice and self–study of various modern psycho-physical yoga styles and paths of Traditional Yoga. In the next coming years, he immersed himself deeply in the studies of other Asian philosophies as Tantra, Vedanta, Sankhya, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Islamism and Sufism. His ventures for Spiritual growth saw him embarking on travels around Asia, where he further developed his passions, knowledge, study and experiences of practicing several types of Traditional yoga. He has over 1000 hours teacher and therapist training in yoga. Studying, teaching and volunteering in a therapy center and ashrams in India and Nepal. Over the years, his studies and experiences cover areas related to the scientific aspects of Yoga for physical-psychological and mental health as pranayama, mantras and mudras, with a keen interest in sports, nutrition and different sorts of science as psychology, kinesiology and quantum physics. These combined Spiritual and physical practices have enabled him to teach in a very unique form. He has been sharing his skills and teachings for over 25 years, delivering his particular style, skills and personal experience around the World through-out America, Europe, Asia and Africa. This, to a wide range of people from all ages, cultures and walks of life such as Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Catholic and Protestant Christians, in far off