Tours - Pilgrim's Progress: Yoga Tour
Best time to visit: Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec.
Weather : Night 23-26°C, Day 29-31°C.
Embark on an enriching holiday experience by visiting India – a land seeping with unending delights and eventful surprises. We have prepared a package suited for yoga lovers and practitioners. Our journey traverses across the southern states of India, where we mix travel and sightseeing with visits to ashrams, yoga centers and dance institutes.
The highlights of this tour include visits to Mumbai – the city of Gold and Goa, also known as the Lisboa of the east. Moving further south and measuring 38,864 sq. kms, Kerala is on the south-west coast of India. It’s contact with the outside world dates back to over 2000 years, when the sailed to this coast in search of sandalwood, ivory & spices. In its present day parlance, Kerala is remembered for its uninterrupted coastline, backwater rides & ancient dance form, as well as the tried & tested Ayurvedic form of treatment that involves herbal massages & medicines prepared from natural herbs. Moving south-east, at an altitude of 770 metres, in the state of Karnataka, is the ‘land of palaces & blooms’. Mysore has the makings of a place that has peferred to dwell & live in it’s past. Have your fill of the sea, sand, palaces & temples.
Come join the Royal March to one of the oldest civilizations on Planet Earth; maybe you’ll `discover’ that Nirvana isn’t so abstract, after all!!!!
DAY 1. MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai. Transfer to Hotel Metro Palace or similar. Breakfast. Full day sightseeing tour visiting Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Banganga Tank, Hanging Gardens, Jain Temple & Mumbai University. Late evening visit the Indian dance institute in Andheri. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 2. MUMBAI
Breakfast. Join a one day camp at The Yoga Institute Santacruz. This institute is internationally renowned for pioneering educational, scientific and cultural activities. Tandoor cuisine.
DAY 3. PUNE
Breakfast. Depart Mumbai for Pune by train at 0715 hrs. (Deccan Express), arrive at 1115 hrs. Transfer to tourist class hotel in Pune Camp area. Visit the Osho International commune for an orientation program. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 4. PUNE
Breakfast.A.M. Visit the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune for an Iyengar Yoga class. Late afternoon depart Pune for Goa by train at 1645 hrs.
DAY 5. GOA
Breakfast.Arrive Goa at 0705 hrs. Transfer to Longuinhos Resort or similar. Visit the beaches in South Goa.
DAY 6. GOA
Breakfast. Full day excursion to the villages of Chandor, Loutolim & Old Goa. Visit ancient Portuguese Houses, admire it’s intricate and well preserved interiors. Late evening go on a boat cruise on River Mandovi and witness a local dance program on board the `Santa Monica.’ Overnight at hotel.
DAY 7. GOA
Breakfast. Visit Cab-de-Rama fort and Palolem beach. Late evening depart for Cochin by train at 2240 hrs.
DAY 8. COCHIN
Breakfast. Arrive Cochin at 1420 hrs. the following day. Transfer to Hotel Sealord or similar. Afternoon free. Evening visit a Kathakali Dance Performance. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 9. COCHIN
A.M. Breakfast. Full day s/s tour of Cochin visiting Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, Spice Market, Matancherry Palace & Museum. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10. ALLAPUZHA
A.M. Breakfast. Depart Cochin for Allapuzha often referred to as ‘Venice of the East’. Transfer to a family run Guest House. With its picturesque beaches & famed backwater rides, Allapuzha marks a delightful entry into the world of demi-paradise. Overnight at guest house.
DAY 11. IN HOUSEBOAT
Morning free. Depart for an exciting overnight boat ride through the backwaters of Kerala. Visit Champakulam and surrounding areas. Overnight in Houseboat.
DAY 12. VARKALA.
A.M. Breakfast. Houseboat tour ends at 1000 a.m. Transfer by coach to Varkala. Located on top of a hillock, Varkala provides breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. Overnight at a yoga ashram (School of Yoga and Massage).
DAY 13. VARKALA
Breakfast. Visit the Nature Cure Hospital, which treats patients entirely by diet, hydrotherapy and chromotherapy (natural sunbath with filters). Rest of the day free to enjoy beach experience. Overnight at yoga ashram.
DAY 14. KOVALAM
A.M. Breakfast. Drive to Kovalam. Check-in at Dr. Franklins Beach Resort. Afternoon free for an ayurvedic massage at one of Kerala’s most renowned resorts. Overnight at resort.
DAY 15. KOVALAM
A.M. Breakfast.Visit Padmanabhapuram Palace built in the 18th century & proceed to Kanyakumari the southern most tip of India & the meeting point of the three oceans : Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea & the Bay of Bengal. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 16. IN TRAIN
Breakfast. Morning free. Depart Trivandrum for Bangalore at 1250 hrs. Overnight in train.
DAY 17. MYSORE
A.M. Arrive Bangalore at 0655 hrs. Transfer to Mysore by coach. . Depart for Mysore by coach. Transfer to Kings Court or similar. Visit the City Palace consisting of priceless antiques, paintings on walls & silver doors, Chamudeshwari Temple, the ruins of Srirangapatana & Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 18. MYSORE
A.M. Breakfast. Full day excursion of Belur & Halebid group of Temples. Return to Mysore late evening. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 19. BANGALORE
Breakfast. Depart for Bangalore. Transfer to Hotel High Gates or similar. Half day tour of Bangalore, visit Tipu Sultan Palace, Legislature House, and Cubbon Park. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 20. MUMBAI
Morning free. Late afternoon flight to Mumbai. Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Mumbai. Depart Mumbai for international flight to Canada.
Tour cost includes:
* Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfast
* Transporation by coach/car
* Deluxe houseboat (without A/C) for one night with meals
* Train fare Mumbai-Pune-Goa-Cochin, Trivandrum-Bangalore by Airconditioned/First
* Visits to places mentioned in program
* Entrance fees to monuments
* Day course at Yoga Institute, Mumbai
* One free massage (one hour) at Kovalam/Varkala
* Kathakali dance performance in Cochin
* Yoga class at Iyengar's Institute in Pune
Tour cost does not include:
* Lunch and dinner
* Meals on train
* Expenses of personal nature
* Any specific treatments/courses undertaken at Institutes/Resorts etc.
* Any item not specifically mentioned as being "included in the itinerary
For more information, contact us at sales@skylighttravel.ca.
