Tour Plan for Kerala, India: Arriving via Trivandrum Airport, we will drive 45 minutes south to Manaltheeram, the Ayurvedia Beach Village. This is where where Shiva Rea holds her Kerala retreats. The next afternoon we will travel north to the palm-fringed beaches of Varkala (Kerala’s best surfing spot) and its rich cultural and artistic life. Two nights here will allow plenty of time to connect with the culture and beach scene. As time, weather and road conditions allow, our route is carefully arranged to see a variety of Kerala’s offerings. We will follow a northward route, carrying us from the southern most tip of India - along beaches, before climbing into the lush high tropical lands of Periyar, Munnar, Plakkad, and later, into the majestic Wayanad region.
Tour Style: Our group will be on the move -- seeing the highlights of culture, landscape and wildlife. We are transported by comfortable air conditioned van, with professional driver. Translation and local lore will be provided by either our bi-lingual driver or a conservationist friend. We typically remain two nights in each western style accommodation, while exploring nearby sights. Accommodations range from government guest houses in National Parks, to hotels and resorts. With the exception of malfunctioning equipment or local brown-outs, we will have hot water and air conditioning. However, the developing world is still "under-construction," so please be prepared for discomfort - which is part of our "mindfulness practice" after all ;) For a list of our primary accommodations go here:
Important Dates: Tour begins on Feb 8 and ends on Feb 22. We spend 8 days in India and 7 days in Sri Lanka.
We begin the tour on Feb 8, arriving at the Trivandrum Airport. You are responsible for securing your own tickets from the U.S. to Trivandrum, India. Please arrive as early as possible in the day. You will be picked up at the airport and brought to our beach hotel.
Flying Strategies: Some people will purchase R/T tickets from the US to Chennai, then separate tickets for Chennai to Trivandrum; as well as Colombo, Sri Lanka to Chennai upon conclusion of the trip. This can be the most economical way to travel.
All land travel, plus one flight from India to Sri Lanka on Feb 16, will be arranged by GeoWandering. Only the incoming and outgoing flights to/from the US are your responsibility. Thus, please book thru to Trivandrum on Feb 8, and out of Colombo on Feb 22.
Tour Plan for Sri Lanka: We meet in Colombo, commencing a seven day loop of the island, visiting the unmatched cities of antiquity, Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa - presenting some of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. Upon arrival, you will get grounded in Hiikkaduwa - a surfing mecca. After visiting Kandy’s “Temple of Buddha’s Tooth, we will spend time among the 70 or so elephants of the nearby Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. We will also visit the elephant orphanage of Uda Wallawe, where unlike Pennawala, the orphans are raised to be enabled to return to the wilds. The nearby Yala National Park will offer the greatest opportunity to witness wild elephants, while we are being guided by our ranger friends and a wildlife veterinarian. Upon our return route to Colombo we will enjoy the hill country and the Ayurveda/herbal gardens, and world famous tea plantations.
Upon departure from Varkala, we will enjoy peaceful cruising of the backwaters of historic Alleppey. Next, we escape the heat of the lowlands by heading into the hills, which rise nearly 8,000 feet. En route we will enjoy beautiful streams, waterfalls, pepper, cardamom and tea plantations and thick forests. Time permitting, we will either visit the wildlife reserve at Periyar, where herds of elephants roam freely in vast jungles, or Munnar, which is breathtakingly beautiful and is described by National Geographic Traveler as "one of the fifty must see destinations of a lifetime and one of the ten paradises of the world." The tea plantations present a carpet of green - the landscape offers one of the most romantic views in the world. Palakkad is among Kerala's most picturesque areas as a result of its distinctive palmyra trees and extensive green paddy fields. Palakkad lies near Palghat Gap - running thru the Western Ghats range which parallels the west coast of India and connects Kerala to the plains within the state of Tamil Nadu of south-central India. SavingGanesh’s most recent documentary - “Elephant Warning” is centered in this region. As time allows, we have the option of either hitting the beach again at Kochi, or visiting the National Parks at Wayanad and Mudumalai. Wayanad's name is derived from “wayalnadu” meaning ‘land of paddy fields.’ This area contains the largest concentration of tribal population, perhaps in all India. Our tour ends at Kochi (Kozhikode) on February 28.
Yoga & Enchantment Tour, Best of Kerala, India & Sri Lanka
Feb 8 - Feb 22 (15 days)
Yoga Instructor: Monica Mesa
FYI, the India portion of the tour ends on Feb 16 at the Kochi (Kozhikode) Airport. GeoWandering will make reservations for our tour participants to fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Yoga Tour Cost and what’s included
The cost is $3,250, or discounted to $2,850 for early bird sign up (by Nov 1). Airfare between the US and India/Sri Lanka is extra - we will help you find the appropriate flights and the best prices. The cost for any personalized services, like Ayurvedic spa treatment, massages, salon services, surf lessons, surfboard rental or alcoholic beverages is your responsibility. Accommodations, meals, safaris, park entrance fees, yoga, translator, ground transportation and the flight on Feb 16 between India and Sri Lanka is all included in the fee. This price is based on double occupancy (shared room), if single room is desired, please add $300.
Why Kerala and Sri Lanka?
Combining the exotic landscape and culture of Sri Lanka with the tropical paradise of Southwest India offers a unique variety of attractions - twinned by climate - they are divergent in culture. Sri Lanka being heavily Buddhist, verses Southern India being 56% Hindu and 24% Muslim, brings interesting cultural contrast. We will sample the best of both Sri Lanka and Kerala - elephants, boat tours, safari’s, stone age carvings, temples and more. Our tour includes the best surfing spots of both Sri Lanka (Hikkaduwa) and Kerala (near Varkala Beach). We will visit the famous Ayurveda (herbal) gardens of Sri Lanka, and have an Ayurvedic treatment at Kerala’s Manaltheeram - the Ayurveda Beach Village.