Travel with anthropologists, writers, filmmakers, and indigenous wisdom holders to some of the world's most exotic settings, learn new skills, and engage in spirited dialogues on subjects ranging from the evolution of culture to myth, religion, and the nature of reality itself. Soma Journeys invites internationally acclaimed specialists to co-host unique travel experiences to Asia’s most compelling destinations. From active adventure hikes on the sensual island of Bali; meditation and yoga retreats amidst the sacred temple grounds of Angkor Wat; exploration and cultural discovery in Bhutan; a Himalayan pilgrimage to Tibet’s holy Mount Kailash; to visiting the ancient sites of Myanmar during a travel writing seminar. Soma Journeys’ signature itineraries explore places and subjects that enrich both the individual and collective lives, inspiring the mind and delighting the senses. 

Soma Journeys offerings for 2013 - 2014

Myth, Legends and Volcanoes - The Ultimate Adventure to the ‘Island of the Gods’, Indonesia

This eight-day itinerary will include hiking through the jungles and rice fields of Bali’s scenic nature; white water rafting, volcano climbing, surfing, cultural dance performances, and visits to the magical Hindu temples. This journey will coincide with the tenth year anniversary of the Ubud’s Writer & Readers Festival and includes a 1 Day pass to attend the event and a private dinner with the Festival’s patron and guest writers.

Dates: October 9 - 16, 2013, from 2,450 USD net per person, includes 7 nights accommodation, 1 Day pass to Ubud’s Writer’s Festival, all entrance fees, activities, transport, services of expedition leader Cristy Elmendorp and local guide.

Meditation and Yoga at the Mystical Temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

A meditation and yoga retreat led by Jill Satterfield, internationally acclaimed Buddhist scholar and founder of the Vajra Yoga studio in New York. Jill’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Tricycle Magazine, Shambhala Sun, Yoga Journal, Fit Yoga, Self, BET and Marie Claire and she was named one of the four leading yoga and Buddhist teachers in the country by the Shambhala Sun.

Dates: November 10 - 16, 2013, from 3,980 USD net per person, includes 6 nights accommodation, services of international meditation and yoga practitioner Jill Satterfield & expedition leader Cristy Elmendorp, all entrance fees, activities, on ground transport, and local guide.

Cultural Discovery and Exploration in the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan

This journey takes participants to the heart of the Himalayas and its rich cultural and spiritual heritage including visits to Bhutan’s flourishing temples and monasteries along with scenic hikes and excursions through pristine landscapes. Led by anthropologist John Vincent Bellezza, John is most known for his recent discovery of the lost Zhang Zhung civilization in the Himalayas of Western Tibet. 

Dates: April 12 - 20, 2014, from 5,550 USD net per person, includes 8 nights accommodation, services of international expedition leader John Vincent Bellezza & Cristy Elmendorp, all entrance fees, activities, on ground transport, and local guide.

A Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, Tibet

Mount Kailash, in the high plateaus of the Ngari region in western Tibet, is held by multiple faiths to be the meeting place of Earth and Heaven and is one of the most ancient pilgrimage destinations on the planet. This journey will be led by veteran Himalayan explorer Ian Baker, most known for his discovery of the world’s deepest gorge and profiled by National Geographic as one of the seven ‘explorers for the millennium’. 

Dates: September 7 - 26, 2014, from 6,995 USD net per person, includes 19 nights accommodation, services of international expedition leader Ian Baker & Cristy Elmendorp, all entrance fees, activities, on ground transport, and local guide.

A Literary Journey in Myanmar

This travel-writing seminar in Myanmar (Burma) will introduce participants to the full spectrum of the art— personal diaries, journalism, essays, memoirs, novels, poetry, blogs, and guidebooks—in addition to writing techniques including description, structure, voice, and angle. This journey will be led by Ian Baker a graduate from Oxford University and author of seven books, including the literary travelogue The Heart of the World: A Journey to the Last Secret Place.

Dates: November 8 - 16, 2014, from 5,500 USD net per person, includes 8 nights accommodation, services of international expedition leader Ian Baker & Cristy Elmendorp, all entrance fees, activities, on ground transport, and local guide.

“In creating unique outer journeys, where we momentarily leave behind our familiar surroundings and established thought patterns, we are able to venture on an inner journey where we can look at the world- and ourselves- in new ways, leading us to places where our hearts and minds can flourish and discover new depths of wonder and inspiration.” - Cristy Elmendorp, Managing Director of Soma Journeys

For more information and press enquiries, please contact: contact@somajourneys.com

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About Soma Journeys
Soma Journeys is a boutique travel company founded in July 2012 by former television host Cristy Elmendorp. Cristy's passion for exploring the landscapes and wisdom traditions of ancient cultures, has led her to inspiring meetings with influential persons including H.H. the Dalai Lama of Tibet, motivational speaker Anthony Robbins, and H.R.H. Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark. Specializing in one-of-a-kind signature tours and customized travel adventures, Soma Journeys' unparalleled personal contacts, relationships, and expertise will ensure you of deeply memorable and moving experiences at the far horizons of the world.