~ FEEL INDIA ~ SOUTH ~

PLEASE NOTE ~ We will be leaving the UK on the 19th to arrive in India for the 2oth

Day 1 ~ January 20th Monday

Chennai ~ Mamalapuram

Arrive in Chennai by morning flight, to be met by our tour guide on arrival to airport.
Followed by a city tour to take in the sights & awaken your senses.
CHENNAI  ~ The capital of Tamil Nadu state,  formerly named Madras. Seen as the gatekeeper of South Indian art, culture & traditions. Located on the Coromandel Coast  of the bay of bengal ~ A bustling city full of culture, colours & life.
After the visit, depart by private bus to Mamalapuram to settle into your hotel.
At some point in the day we will share an opening ceremony & circle to begin to connect as a group.
Dinner will be in the hotel to keep the first evening restful whilst you land from the travel.
Ending the day with a guided meditation relaxation & sound bath to ground us & leave us ready for bed.

Accommodation ~ Mamalapuram ~ Hotel info coming soon.

Day 2~ January 21st Tuesday

Mamalapuram

Morning yoga session at the hotel & breakfast before heading out for the day.
Visit many glorious sites, with guided tours including ~ Shore Temple ~ One of the oldest in South India, built in the 8th century BC & designed to capture the first rays of light from the rising sun. ~ Arjuna ~ The largest bas-relief in the world. This enormous rock shaped like a whale's back is decorated with figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts & birds in what is believed to represent the creation of the World.  ~ Rathas ~ Monolithic temples shaped like chariots. Carved to look like a wooden structure, even with details of knots & yet carved in stone.
MALAPURAM / MAHABALIPURAM ~ A beautiful sea port town, found along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Tamil Nadu state ~ We spent time exploring it’s treasures in 2016 & it is truly an awe inspiring place! Speckled with several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, courtesy of the ancient Pallava dynasty (3rd - 9th century BC), who were great patrons of art & crafts, it offers so many spectacular sites to take in. Its awe-inspiring cave temples, sculptures & monuments leave one marvelling at the skill of the craftsmen of that time. Many of the temples, built with granite, relate the stories from the Hindu epic ~ Mahabharata. Once a thriving port, Mamalapuram is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site complex. Known for it’s art, craft, sculpting, sea food & more. With beautiful beaches & warm sea, it is slowly becoming the surfing hub of the country.
When we brought people here in 2016 we were all blown away with the treasures it holds!
After dinner culminate the day with a restorative sound bath & relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight at hotel in Mahabalipuram. Hotel link coming soon.

Day 3 ~ January 22nd Wedndesday

Mamalapuram ~ Pondicherry ~ 95 km between them

Commence the day with yoga, followed by breakfast.
Before departing for the glorious Pondicherry, now Pudecherry for an exploration.
PONDICHERRY ~Hosting colonial structures from it’s French connection with gorgeous seafront promenades, communities, tree-lined boulevards, unexplored pristine beaches & enchanting backwaters. Known for textiles, silk & traditional doll-making as well as high quality pottery, handmade paper, leather & aromatics. French is still popularly spoken & understood by residents from all walks of life & used in schools as a second language.
The afternoon will take us to visit Auroville ~ a fascinating universal community based place, with a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. The concept of Auroville – an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity – commencing mid 1960s the concept was developed & put before the Govt. of India, who gave their backing & took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity, thereby giving their full encouragement. Sandra has been before & it is truly an amazing place where so much about humanities potential could be learnt. ~ There’s a documentary on it, that’s worth a watch!
End the day with dinner & a restful relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Pondicherry ~ Hotel link coming soon

Day 4 ~ January 23rd Thursday

Pondicherry ~ Thanjavur ~ 185 km between them

After yoga & breakfast set off on a beautiful drive to Thanjavur. Enjoying an afternoon city tour on arrival - en route you will visit ~ Chidambram ~ a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. The dance represents the five activities of God: creation, preservation, destruction, veil & blessing. One of the three 'great living Chola temples'. ~ Gangaikondacholapuram ~ built in the 11th century, was the capital of the Chola reign & has a huge temple dedicated to Shiva, a temple that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. & Swamimalai ~ An Ayurvedic treatment center, where we will learn about the ancient system of traditional medicine that is ayurveda.
THANAVUR ~ Popularly called Tanjore, in Tamil Nadu reflects the legacy of the mighty Cholas & ancient temples that are works of art ~ a glorious tribute to its former kings & scattered with gorgeous monuments. In the heart of the town, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brihadeeswarar Temple that was built in the 11th century & is adorned with unique carvings & sculptures, along with inscriptions that give an account of life 1,000 years ago. While the temples are awe-inspiring, the city's opulent palaces are no less, testifying of the grandeur of the ancient Dravidian civilisation.
After dinner be soothed by a relaxing sound bath & meditation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Thanjavur ~ Hotel link coming soon.

Day 5 ~ January 24th Friday

Thanjavur ~ Madurai ~ 185 km between them

After yoga & breakfast, we will journey towards Madurai.
Taking in the vistas & landscapes of our surroundings as we go. Arriving to an afternoon a city tour to experience some of it main temples & it’s unique energy.
MADURAI ~ Known to be one of the oldest oldest living cities, possibly in the world. It is a big pilgrimage site for Hindu’s. It offers magnificent & grand temples with awe-inspiring architecture. The most spectacular said to be Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple, known as the heartbeat of the city & always being visited by thousands of devotees. Madurai once traded with ancient Rome & it preserves its distinct character in various arts & textiles. From exquisite sarees to wooden toys & sculptures, Madurai is a hub of shopping, where visitors can find a fine selection of unique & handmade products. The city is vibrant & surrounded by serene  hills. Madurai is a beautiful area with waterfalls, hills a plenty.
After dinner end the day with a relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Madurai ~ Hotel link coming soon.

Day 6 ~ January 25th Saturday

Madurai ~ Thekkady ~ 140 km between them

After yoga & breakfast. Depart for a glorious drive through wildlife & surrounded by nature.
This day we will cross from the state of Tamil Nadu & into Kerala.
THEKKADY ~ Holds the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. The 120-year-old 'Surki' dam, built at Peryiar has created a massive artificial lakes & although it’s changed the natural landscapes, it is a sanctuary for animalsas well as a tiger reserve, spreading over an area of ​​777 square km. With its abundant treasures of tropical flora & fauna it’s the ultimate reservoir of many endangered species & rich in it’s tribal culture.
After checking in to our hotel we will go on a Spice plantation tour, exploring the winding paths between the plantations, where the spices aromas fill the air. Spices we will learn about include clove, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom & more. Kumily's geographical & climatic peculiarities, such as the cool climate & its elevation above sea level, make it ideal for the cultivation of spices. One of the main produces in the area is cardamom. Kerala contributes around 70 per cent of the national cardamom production, with most of it coming from this area! Later enjoy a boat ride at Periyar Tiger Reserve. If we’re lucky we may see a herd of elephants or a group of sambar deer, gaur & or wild boars With plenty of bird to look out for too such as darters, egrets & kingfishers & even otters playing in the lake.
End the day with a relaxation session after dinner.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Thekkady ~ Hotel link coming soon.

Day 7 ~ January 26th Sunday

Thekkady ~ Alleppey ~ 137 km between

A morning off yoga so as to get a fuller day on the boat, so after breakfast we drive to Allepey ~ Kerala.
Checking in to our houseboat & starting a beautiful & dreamy cruise that last all day, where it’s full board & some drinks are included. Floating through tranquil surroundings of verdant paddy fields, rustic homes, vast coconut groves & swaying coconut palms, seeing locals way of river life. Also visiting the Vembanad Lake.
ALLEPEY / ALAPPUZHA ~ An area of immense beauty & a city on the Laccadive Sea border. Best known for it’s labyrinth of lakes, canals & lagoons, with several fresh water rivers criss crossing it. Known as India’s venice due to it’s water systems connecting people & livelihoods. It has been trading with Greece & Rome since the middle ages with a fascinating history.

End the day with a relaxation session surrounded by nature & cleansing water.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in our own houseboat ~ Link coming soon.

Day 8 ~ January 27th Monday

Alleppey ~ Kumarakom ~ 40 km between them

After yoga & breakfast with a view on the houseboat we will rejoin our tour bus & proceed our journey.
Arriving into a wonderful spa hotel with a vast swimming pool where we can relax & book ourselves in for spa treatments if we wish.

KUMARAKOM ~ A group of small islands on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, which is a true dreamland. A secluded & relaxing destination to end our yogaventure in. Sparkling waters & bright green mangrove forests all around, coconut trees lining the embankments.  The bird sanctuary located in this enchanting destination spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of birds including ~ Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowl, cuckoos, wild ducks & migratory birds like the Siberian stork.
End the day with a relaxation session after dinner.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Kumarkom ~ Rhythm hotel or similar

Day 10 ~ January 29th Wednesday

Kumarakom ~ Cochin

Yoga & breakfast then our travel takes us to our last destination of this tour ~ Cochin. 
Stopping on route at the beautiful Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. Visit a coconut oil extraction plant where you can watch the process of extracting oil from dried coconut. On to visiting the rural village area of Vaikom where we will take a ride on a country canoe, ending near the lunch venue, where you will enjoy a traditional Keralan vegetarian lunch served on a banana leaf, which is included in tour price. After lunch, acquaint yourself with the villagers & their way of life. Watching the various activities that this area is know for ~ making ropes with coconut fiber; mat- weaving with leaves of wild pineapple; collecting sand from the river bed; fishing and farming; straw mat weaving, coconut processing, coir-making, handicrafts & more.
COCHIN / KOCHI ~ A beautiful part of the southwest coastline of Kerala. Hosting an all-weather harbour & a grand seascape marked as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Cochin Port is a cruise port & peaceful city. It is the top supplier of aromatic spices to global markets. The Kochi kingdom dates back to the 12th century & it’s believed that Chinese & Arab traders were the first visitors to Kochi who paved the way for Portuguese & Dutch visitors, followed by the British Raj in this region. This place has been a safe haven for travel enthusiasts for several decades.
Explore the area a while before retreating to the hotel for dinner & relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Cochin ~ Link coming soon.

Day 11 ~ January 30th Thursday

Cochin

Enjoy a last yoga, followed by breakfast.
On to a guided City tour of Fort Kochi & Mattancherry, a lovely part of town with lots to see. Visiting St. Francis’ Church, built in the year 1503 by Portuguese Francisan Friars & known to be the oldest European church in India. It was restored in the year 1779 by the protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795. We’ll also visit a Dutch Palace, originally built by the Portuguese. Later in 17th century they modified it & presented it to the Raja (King) of Kochi (Cochin). The Palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from Hindu epics, Mahabharata & Ramayana. Later we’ll visit the Jewish quarter & it’s synagogue, built in the year 1568, is magnificently  decorated  by Chinese  tiles & Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. A beautiful part of town we remember well from our visits here. Explore the lovely shops around this part of town & the spice market. We will visit the Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) which are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan brought them here.  For our last evening together we will enjoy a Kathakali dance show ~ An art which has evolved from many social & religious theatrical forms which existed in the southern region in ancient times.
Ending the day with dinner & a relaxation session.

Accommodation ~ Overnight in Cochin ~ Link coming soon.

~ English speaking tour guide that stays with us throughout the whole trip.
~ All transport mentioned in the itinerary including 1 internal flight.
~ 15kg luggage for internal flight, with the option to pay for extra weight.
~ Accommodation for 11 nights in a twin room in 4 star accomodation.
~ Daily breakfast & some extra meals ~ Mentioned within itinerary ~ Full board on houseboat & lunch in Vaikom
~ Bottled water throughout & several welcome drinks at hotels.
~ Transportation in air-conditioned Mini Coach to & from hotels, airports, between cities & during excursions.
~ Entrance fees to lots of temples, museums, a dance show, spice plantation tour & all guided in English ~ Most excursions have been highlighted in bold.
~ 2 boat rides & a canoe trip.
~ Assistance by our representatives at the airports, hotels.
~ For those of you that are staying on for the ‘Kumbh mela tour’ you get the night in between the tours (31st) free & included in the normal prices as well as a discount for joining more than one trip.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

~ Expenses of a personal nature ~ drinks & meals not mentioned in the program. 
~Any International flights to & from India & UK transfers.
~ Visa for the country ~ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
- Personal Travel Insurance
~ Yoga mat & equipment
- Tips ~ We will create a kitty at the start to make it easier

The price is for a single bed in a twin room
Single occupancy price available upon request
A non refundable deposit payment of £399 secures your place
A second payment of £201 is due by September 12th
A Third payment of £750 by November 12th
& the remaining balance by January

Comfortable payment plans can be created ~ Splitting up the payments & extending them further~ Get in touch if this feel better for you & makes it more accessible!
Equally for some it feels better to makes payments sooner than stated dates. This is also welcome.
Full payment is due by the start of January, unless booking is made afterwards then we may need full payment in one go
If your booking multiple trips we can discuss splitting up the payments to be more spread out.

Early bird ends in August & the price will depend on internal flight cost changes.