Journey to the Heart and Soul of Yoga – group tour led by Alex Reed, February 2017
Journey to the Heart and Soul of Yoga – group tour led by Alex Reed
Led by British yoga teacher Alex Reed, this yoga holiday in India will give you an insight into the history and practice of yoga in its Indian homeland. Over the two week journey you will experience: deep relaxation and astounding beauty at luxury retreat centres, bustling city life, traditional yoga with the locals, guest speakers and tutors to enhance your understanding of yoga’s true meaning and history, and still have plenty of time to discover your own inner peace.
We start off on the beach in Goa. These first few days are a chance to acclimatize and shrug off the stresses of Western life. We’ll begin each day with a good stretch before it gets too warm and then you can choose to relax on the beach, explore the local town or perhaps enjoy some additional activities like cooking class. Just before dinner there’ll be another opportunity to practice some gentle yoga and meditation, alongside an introduction to the ancient history and philosophy of yoga.
The next few days are in the historic ruins of Hampi, where you will be able to broaden your understanding of the religious and cultural history of India from which Yoga originated.
Traveling further south to the royal city Mysore, we are in one of the heartlands of modern yoga history, where Pattabhi Jois introduced Ashtanga yoga, a style and tradition that lives on all over the world. We’ll practice this hugely popular style while on our travels and at some of the specialist centres in Mysore.
For the last leg of this amazing journey, we head to Kerala for an unforgettable experience at an Ayurvedic Spa. Ayurveda means the science of life and is a sister science to yoga, providing remedies and treatments to bring you to your optimum health and fitness. This yoga tour in India will be a transformational journey, exploring the country and guiding you towards your best self.
Throughout your journey there will be opportunities to practice yoga with our tour leader, interact with local practitioners, and learn about the philosophy and history of yoga in the places where it all began.
Journey to the Heart and Soul of Yoga – group tour led by Alex Reed
Mumbai – Goa – Hampi – Mysore – Cochin – Kumarakom
Day 1: Saturday 18th February 2017. Fly to Mumbai.
Fly from your home country to Mumbai.
Day 2: Sunday 19th February 2017. Arrive Mumbai. Mumbai Tour. Overnight in hotel in Mumbai.
We arrive in Mumbai in the morning and check into the hotel Suba Palace to freshen up. In the afternoon we step out for a tour of India’s most vibrant city, coming face to face with the glitzy world of Bollywood. Enjoy a great Bombay evening in the seaside “town” area or stroll along Marine Drive.
Overnight in hotel Suba Palace, Mumbai.
Day 3: Monday 20th February 2017. Fly to Goa. Check into yoga resort in Goa.
Alex will wake you early in the morning to head over to Mumbai’s famous Chowpatty Beach for a session of exhilarating and amusing morning “laughter yoga” with local pensioners. It’s the perfect way to wake up and is a most memorable experience. We then check out of the hotel and transfer to Mumbai airport to catch the flight to Goa (1 hour 15 minutes). On arrival in Goa we transfer to the beach and check in to our yoga resort.
Overnight in yoga resort in Goa.
Day 4: Tuesday 21st February 2017. Yoga and free time in Goa. Overnight in Goa
We start today with a morning yoga class and talk by the seaside by a local guest teacher, with the rest of the day free to dip in the sea, enjoy the beach and explore the area.
Overnight in yoga resort in Goa.
Day 5: Wednesday 22nd February 2017. Yoga and free time in Goa. Overnight in Goa
Again we start with a morning yoga class from a local guest teacher, and spend the day enjoying the magic of Goa.
Overnight in yoga resort in Goa.
Day 6: Thursday 23rd February 2017. Train to Hospet. Drive to Hampi. Evening Hanuman temple.
Today we leave the coast and head inland to experience the serenity of rural India at its best, and do some yoga outdoors amongst the ancient ruins of Hampi, spread out over hills formed from boulders. Transfer from hotel in Goa to Vasco Da Gama (VSG) Railway Station to catch train to Hospet: Howrah Express (Train No: 18048) leaving Vasco Da Gama at 7.10 am and arriving at Hospet at 14:55. We then drive from Hospet Station to Hampi (12km) and check into our guest house. At sunset we will walk out to Hanuman Temple, dramatic birthplace of the monkey god, and settle down for some outdoor yoga led by Alex. Please note that our accommodation in Hampi is relatively simple compared to the rest of the tour.
Overnight in Shanthi Guest House, Hampi.
Day 7: Friday 24th February 2017. Morning yoga and Hampi Tour
In the morning we head out for some outdoor yoga amongst the ancient ruins of Hampi, and in the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Hampi to discover this UNESCO Heritage Site’s history. In the evening we will step our again to find a nice spot for some sunset yoga and meditation led by Alex.
Overnight in Shanthi Guest House, Hampi.
Day 8: Saturday 25th February 2017. Day at leisure in Hampi. Overnight train to Mysore
A relaxing day at leisure in Hampi, with morning outdoor yoga class from Alex. In the evening we transfer to Hospet Junction Railway Station to catch the “Hubli Hampi Express” (Train no.: 16591) in air conditioned first class, leaving Hospet Junction at 20:45 and arriving at Mysore Junction 09:40 the following morning.
Overnight on train.
Day 9: Sunday 26th February 2017. Arrive Mysore. Mysore Tour.
We arrive in Mysore Railway Station at 09:40am and transfer to hotel Royal Orchid Metropole. In the afternoon we step out for a guided tour of the historic city of Mysore Tour including the magnificent palace of Tipu Sultan and the temple atop Chamundi Hills with its huge statue of Shiva’s bull Nandi.
Overnight in Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore
Day 10: Monday 27th February 2017. Mysore Ashram
Today we go to the renowned Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore for a yoga class and modern yoga history & philosophy talk.
Overnight in Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore
Day 11: Tuesday 28th February 2017. Drive to Bangalore, fly to Cochin. Overnight in hotel in Fort Cochin.
Today we leave Mysore for the final leg of the tour, a relaxing few days of yoga and Ayurveda in tropical Kerala. We drive 4 hours max to Bangalore airport to fly to Cochin (1 hour 20 minute flight). On arrival we transfer to Old Portuguese colonial port of Fort Cochin and check into the hotel.
Overnight in hotel Spice Fort, Cochin.
Day 12: Wednesday 1st March 2017. Move to Ayurvedic resort near backwaters.
In the morning we drive out to our Ayurvedic resort for the last few days. Morning and evening yoga classes are led by Alex, with optional Ayurvedic treatments at the hotel.
Overnight in Backwater Ripples, Kumarakom
Day 13: Thursday 2nd March 2017. Ayurvedic resort.
Relax at the hotel or head out to explore the area. Morning and evening yoga classes are led by Alex, with optional Ayurvedic treatments at the hotel.
Overnight in Backwater Ripples, Kumarakom
Day 14: Friday 3rd March 2017. Ayurvedic resort.
Relax at the hotel or head out to explore the area. Morning and evening yoga classes are led by Alex, with optional Ayurvedic treatments at the hotel.
Overnight in Backwater Ripples, Kumarakom
Day 15: Saturday 4th March 2017. Return flight.
Transfer to Cochin international airport for return flight to your home country
The cost per person sharing a twin or double room:
£1720
Single room supplement:
£450
The cost includes:
- 13 nights’ accommodation in a sharing twin or double room or single room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in late checkouts are subject to availability).
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- Two internal flights (Mumbai to Goa, and Bangalore to Cochin) in economy class
- All arrival/departure transfers, long drives and sightseeing by a chauffeur driven private air-conditioned car or coach
- Train tickets and reservations as per itinerary (Goa to Hospet, and Hospet to Mysore)
- Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway station.
- Services of English speaking guide during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in your itinerary.
- English speaking escort guide for the whole tour
- Yoga tuition by Alex Reed. Mineral water while travelling
- Mineral water while travelling
The cost does not include:
- International Flight
- India visa fee (£41 per person).
- Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, gratuities etc.
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
Please ensure:
- It includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover
- It provides cover for your whole trip
- It covers you for all activities
- It covers all your pre-existing medical conditions
- Keep your Policy Number and Insurer’s 24-hour Emergency Number handy with you
A non-refundable deposit of £400.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 8 weeks before departure
CONTACT US
To enquire or make a booking on this tour, please call: 020 8901 7630 Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm, Saturday 11am – 4pm
TESTIMONIALS:
