South India: Spice | Spirit | Serenity
kochi | periyar | alleppey| trivandrum
19 February - 2 March 2025
11 nights | 12 Days
$5995 per person (twin share) or $7795 per person (single supplement)
Join Lisa Allwell on an Indian adventure in 2025. Kerela is India's most southern state, known as 'gods own country'. Experience the culture, devotion, and grace of southern Indian life. and, of course, plenty of yoga and meditation.
Join Lisa Allwell on an exciting wellness adventure through the enchanting landscapes of Southern India.
Our tour starts in the tranquil city of Kochi which has enticed merchants, adventurers, and wanderers for over six centuries. Now we get to explore it too! Expect a unique tapestry of cultures: towering Chinese fishing nets, a synagogue dating back 450 years, ancient temples and the weathered remnants of British colonial rule. The amalgamation is a striking fusion of medieval Portugal and Holland, with a touch of English village charm on the lush Malabar Coast landscape.
We then traverse the beautiful western ghats to Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Fingers crossed we see a tiger! We immerse ourselves in aromatic spice plantations, learning about the medicinal and culinary properties of cardamom, pepper and cloves and tasting the distinctive flavours that distinguish Kerala cuisine. We will visit local markets to buy produce, sourced from the organic gardens and then with our private chef enjoy an interactive culinary cooking experience. Nature walks, boating and yoga complement our stay.
Next we float through the renowned Kerala backwaters on houseboats. We immerse ourselves in village life, visiting a local school, church and community. We will canoe through the backwaters and watch the sunset from the boat deck with chefs and crews ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Our next stop is a haven of rejuvenation at our beachside Ayurvedic Centre, set on a palm fringed beach overlooking the Arabian sea. Here we will experience ayurvedic treatments, meditation, yoga nidra and a wellness program tailored specifically for you.
On our final stop we explore the nearby beachside town of Kovalam, where we will spend the morning market shopping for local shawls, jewellery and handicrafts.
Our journey culminates with a Farewell dinner at our Clifftop Hotel, where we soak in the panoramic view of the ocean, before boarding your international flight home.
Woven throughout this tour is a unique blend of yoga, meditation and mindfulness facilitated by Lisa Allwell. This tour is suitable for all levels of yoga experience from absolute beginners through to those with an established yoga practice.
Lisa has again teamed with travel professional and India experts Essence of India Tours to create this bespoke, ethically-sourced tour. Designed for the discerning traveller, you will travel in comfort and stay in beautiful quality accommodation. All the small details are taken care of so that you can immerse yourself in this unique, unforgettable experience. Essence of India can also help with flights, travel insurance and adding other destinations in India.
Lisa has been leading annual tours to India since 2016, and this trip to the south - Kerela, known as ‘God's own country’ - is a favourite. Dozens of her students have travelled with her to India not just once, but multiple times: They know the experience will be nurturing, graceful and perfectly curated.
* Price is per person twin share. Single Supplements and payment plans are available.
questions?
We’d be happy to help. Just phone Lisa from Seed Yoga on 0421 395 524.
bookings
To book this tour leave your details below and we will send you the Booking and Payment Information.
Experience a cultural tuk-tuk & guided walking tour to experience the beautiful colonial architecture, churches, galleries and confluence cultures in the enclave of Fort Kochi.
Wander the narrow laneways and bazaars of Jew Town, visiting the Synagogue and delighting in artisans’ wares and hand-made incense at a local perfumery.
Witness sunset over Cochin Harbour on an evening Sunset Cruise.
Walk amidst the Spice Plantation where aromatics of pepper, cardamom and clove meld with fresh mountain air.
Visit local vegetable markets to purchase fresh ingredients for an interactive cooking experience with our Chef, who will demonstrate the culinary art of using spices.
Enjoy an immersive nature walk amongst evergreen forest trails.
Cruise the waters on an afternoon Boat Ride in Periyar National Park.
Spend 2 tranquil nights meandering the beautiful backwaters of Kerela in your own private houseboats. We explore the local canals and village life of these communities.
Take a train journey to Trivandrum watching the tapestry of local life as it unfolds outside your window.
03 Nights stay at a beachside Ayurveda Centre, including:
3 Days personalised Ayurvedic Treatments in consultation with your Ayurvedic Doctor.
Daily Wellness program of Meditation, Yoga Nidra and various styles of Yoga and Ayurvedic Cuisine.
Ayurvedic knowledge evening with guest speaking Ayurvedic Doctor.
Half Day Tour of Kovalam exploring beaches and spend the morning market shopping for local shawls, jewellery and handicrafts.
Farewell Dinner at a 5-Star Clifftop Hotel.
SPECIAL INCLUSION: 11 nights yoga and meditation facilitated by Lisa Allwell (priceless…obviously)
Day 1: Arrival: Cochin International Airport.
Upon arrival and once you have cleared customs, you will be personally met by our representative in the arrivals hall who will assist you to transfer from the airport and check into your hotel.
Day 2: Our journey begins in the city of Fort Kochi on the West Coast, an enclave, where the tapestry of history, art and culture converge with the echoes of ancient trade. We explore its laneways, markets, boutique shops, colonial architecture and its fusion of cultures. Witness sunset over Kochi Harbour on an evening Sunset Cruise.
Day 3: We traverse the beautiful Western Ghats and walk amidst the Spice Plantation. Afternoon at leisure with Metre Tea & Local Snacks.
Day 4: This morning, we visit local vegetable markets to purchase fresh ingredients for our interactive cooking experience for Lunch with our Chef, who will demonstrate the culinary art of using spices. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy optional massage or resort activities.
Day 5: Enjoy morning Yoga & Meditation, followed by breakfast and Naturalist-led Nature Walk. This afternoon we cruise the waters on a Boat Ride of the Periyar National Park.
Day 6: This morning, we travel south to Alleppey, where we board premium houseboats for 2 nights with chefs and crews ensuring an all-inclusive experience throughout the renowned Kerala backwaters.
Day 7: Overnight onboard our premium houseboats, we unwind whilst Immersing in the tranquil backwater village life, visiting a local school, church and community.
Day 8: This morning, we disembark and take a train journey to Alleppey to Trivandrum, watching the tapestry of local life as it unfolds outside your window. Our journey continues onward to our haven of rejuvenation at our beachside Ayurvedic Centre.
Day 9: Commencing 6am, our day consists of daily Meditation, multiple choices of Yoga and Yoga Nidra throughout the day. Experience daily personalised treatments in accordance with the Doctor and all Ayurvedic meals.
Day 10: Commencing 6am, our day consists of daily Meditation, multiple choices of Yoga and Yoga Nidra throughout the day. Experience daily personalised treatments in accordance with the Doctor and all Ayurvedic meals.
Day 11: Commencing 6am, our day consists of daily Meditation, multiple choices of Yoga and Yoga Nidra throughout the morning. Experience daily personalised treatments in accordance with the Doctor and Ayurvedic breakfast and lunch. After lunch, we check out and transfer to our 5-Star Clifftop Hotel.
Day 12: Enjoy morning Yoga & Meditation. After breakfast we explore the nearby beachside town of Kovalam, where we spend the morning market shopping for local shawls, jewellery and handicrafts. Afternoon at leisure. Optional Day Use Room at Hotel.
Our journey culminates with a Farewell dinner at our Clifftop Hotel where we soak in the panoramic view of the ocean before boarding your international flight home or onward journey.
Inclusions
11 Nights including 09 Nights Premium Accommodation and 02 Nights Premium Houseboats or similar.
11 Daily Breakfasts including 3 meals of Ayurvedic Cuisine.
08 Lunches including 3 meals of Ayurvedic Cuisine.
08 Dinners including 3 meals of Ayurvedic Cuisine.
03 Days Personalised Ayurvedic treatments, Yoga and Meditation.
All sightseeing as per the program with Private Driver & Air-Conditioned Coach.
Airconditioned Train Alleppey to Trivandrum.
English Speaking Local Guides.
Entrance fee to the monuments as per the program & applicable taxes.
Group Airport transfers within the included package dates.
Joyful daily yoga with Lisa Allwell
Exclusions
International flights to and from India
Travel insurance (NOTE: Travel Insurance is MANDATORY for this trip and must be secured within 7 days of booking.)
Applicable visas
Expenses of personal nature such as gratuities, drinks, telephone calls, camera fees, laundry, or any other items.
Meals not specified above
Many of our guests travel solo. If you're intending to come alone and would like to share a room, we may be able to arrange a room share with a like-minded soul of the same gender and similar age. If you would like your own room, a single-room supplement is available.
A non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking
Further payment and cancellation conditions apply, refer to booking conditions provided at time of booking
Participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to commencement of this retreat
Payment plans are available for this retreat
Booking terms and conditions apply
“Thank you Lisa Allwell. What an amazing tour! Everything was so well planned; beautiful hotels, restaurants, food, our extremely informative, friendly and fun tour guide. Meeting new and like-minded people that are now my friends. This was an important spiritual journey for me, with yoga and meditation the centre of it. My first adventure to India will stay in my heart forever.”
“Thank you for a trip of a lifetime. Your leadership and fun-loving all-conquering nature made the trip more than just a holiday to India. From the get-go, the flights and ground arrangements were made simple and easy by Essence of India and Sanctuary Travel (I had previously worked in the travel industry, these guys were amazing to deal with!) Lisa, your knowledge of India, the culture, the navigating the everyday travel needs were insightful and you had unwavering patience and consideration of everyone’s individual needs. I loved all the little surprises. You have a gift of bringing people together, manifesting fun and heartfulness, and have an affinity with Mother India that is soul deep! I will hopefully be joining you again next year if the universe complies.”