A Yoga Trip Infused with the Science of Life

DAY 1: ARRIVE COCHIN

Welcome to India! Arrive Cochin airport by International Flight. After immigration, you will be met by our representative and welcomed with a “Mauli ritual”. Mauli is a symbolic cotton thread tied on the wrist and is our traditional way to start the journey at an auspicious note.

Cochin – is the ideal starting point to know more about Kerala’s unique global exchange, both economic and cultural that goes back to two millennia. Whist the Camel Caravans on the Silk Route plodded through the Thar Desert in India’s distant Northwest corner braving extreme conditions; in the Southern part of India, the sea traders on the Spice Routes reached Kerala facing treacherous sea voyages looking for black pepper.

Overnight in Cochin at Fragrant Nature (Dukes Chamber) Meals Included: None

DAY 2: IN COCHIN

Wake up early for a yoga session

Later, explore Cochin by foot

In the afternoon, visit homes of different communities in Cochin & interact with them to dive into their cuisine.

Early morning indulge yourself in a relaxing session of Yoga.

After breakfast, explore Cochin by foot. This walking tour is an eye opener to the minute details of Old towns. It definitely pulls you back to 14th century. Fort Cochin is said to have formed in the 1340’s due to cataclysmic floods. Fort Cochin being the natural gateway to the Kochi harbor, grew in importance as travelers from far and wide came to Kochi. The Arabs, the Chinese, The Dutch & The Portuguese.

The large rain trees, beautiful colonial buildings, streets lined with many shops, dining options, the Chinese fishing nets, the beach area, different community in Mattanchery, local activities, fruit street to name a few make this a very attractive place to be.

This afternoon, visit local homes in Fort Cochin to understand how different communities live peacefully with each other maintaining their own customs, rituals and cuisine traditions.

The phrase ‘Melting Pot’ is clichéd but when it comes to describing Cochin this phrase couldn’t be more apt! Over the past many centuries people from far off lands have come and settled here making Cochin a melting pot of many cultures. As we speak, there are over 20 different communities living in and around the Fort Kochi – Mattancherry area. Each community lends a distinct flavour to the language, dressing habits and the general lifestyle of people here. The quintessential ‘Kochikkaran’ (a term used to address the denizens of Cochin) is a fitting example of the recognition of this fusion of cultures here.

Overnight in Cochin at Fragrant Nature (Dukes Chamber)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 3: COCHIN-THEKKADY

Morning: Guided tour of Fort Cochin

Drive to Thekakdy

Rest of the day is at leisure

At sunset, attend a meditation session

This morning, embark on a guided tour of Fort Cochin exploring the Dutch Palace, Synagogue and the St. Francis Church. Also witness Chinese fishing net at the harbor – an ancient Chinese method used by local fishermen.

Thekkady- Periyar National Park located in Thekkady, is open throughout the year unlike many other parks in India, and is good for Elephant sighting; the large reservoir attracts all kinds of creatures to its shores. A paradise for nature lovers, Periyar and Thekkady offer plenty of opportunities at wildlife sightings, bird watching, boat rides, and treks and mountain walks through fragrant spice plantations.

Later, drive to Thekkady, with its rainforest, spice plantations and canopies.

Spend a relaxed evening at the hotel.

Overnight in Thekkady at Cardamom County (AC Periyar Cottage)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 4: IN THEKKADY

Wake up early for a yoga session followed by interaction with a scholar

Later, visit spice plantation followed by lunch

Early morning start your day with a yoga session followed by an interaction with a scholar to understand the philosophy of ancient Hinduism.

Later in the day, visit a spice plantation, interact with the hosts and enjoy an organic local lunch. In the evening, enjoy meditation session.

Overnight in Thekkady at Cardamom County (AC Periyar Cottage)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5: IN THEKKADY

Early morning yoga session

Evening meditation session and chanting of mantras.

Optional: Guests interested can go to Periyar wildlife sanctuary during the day for jungle activities like nature walk, bamboo rafting etc.

Start your day with a Yoga session. Later you have an option to either explore the jungle of Periyar wildlife sanctuary or relax to enjoy the serenity of the place.

Evening meditation session and chanting of mantras.

Overnight in Thekkady at Cardamom County (AC Periyar Cottage)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: THEKKADY-KUMARAKOM

Today you will drive to Kumarakom to board a Houseboat

Day cruise followed by lunch

Kumarakom- Known for its languid stillness, Kumarakom is a verdant tropical paradise located on the banks of Lake Vembanad. Backwaters, birds, and boats bobbing up and down are sights that greet you here.

Drive to the backwaters with its drenched greens and coconut palms. On arrival in Kumarakom, take a day cruise on a Kettuvallam. Originally these boats were used to ferry rice in the backwaters. Lunch on board. Disembark in the late afternoon and continue to the resort. Enjoy a relaxing evening at the resort.

Overnight in Kumarakom at Whispering Palms (Lake View Cottage)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7: IN KUMARAKOM

Early morning yoga session

Afternoon, visit a farm followed by lunch

Start your day with a Yoga session.

Visit to a farm followed by lunch.

A family-run hideaway nestled amidst tranquil backwaters; this Farm is one of the most fascinating ways to experience traditional Keralian cuisine and hospitality.

This is a great opportunity to get an insight of local life as you interact with your hosts who will show you around this traditional farm but using lot of new techniques with time. Understand the local corps and how animals play an important role in local life.

Your host is a Syrian Christian family, hence, also learn about family values, their different rituals & cuisine of Syrian Christians who are living in Kerala for centuries. Enjoy a typical Syrian Christian lunch with the hosts.

Overnight in Kumarakom at Whispering Palms (Lake View Cottage)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: KUMARAKOM

Early morning yoga session

Later, visit Chirathukal visiting Kudumbasree

Start your day with a Yoga session.

Chirathukal is a full day community-based program meant to empower the women, by participating in this program you can share your valuable suggestions and ideas to develop the units.

The program begins with a welcome party by the area development society and, you will get an introduction to the Kudumbasree units. You can visit around 6-8 different Kudumbasree units and also can work in a single unit to share your ideas. You will be put in a single unit to help them to improve the quality of product, manage time, manage accounts, Value addition to products etc.

Kudumbashree is the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala. The name Kudumbashree in Malayalam language means ‘prosperity of the family’. The name represents ‘Kudumbashree Mission’ or SPEM as well as the Kudumbashree Community Network. What is commonly referred to as ‘Kudumbashree’ could mean either the Kudumbashree Community Network, or the Kudumbashree Mission, or both.

Overnight in Kumarakom at Whispering Palms (Lake View Cottage)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 9: KUMARAKOM-MARARIKULAM

Today you will drive to Mararikulam

On arrival check-in at the resort and enjoy a blissful day on the beach.

This evening, attend a meditation session

Mararikulam- Serene stretches of beach to relax and soak in the sun are what sets Mararikulam apart from other destinations in God’s own country, Kerala.

Drive to Mararikulam, a quiet fishing village by the Arabian Sea. Later in the day meet the in-house Ayurveda specialist to understand the basics of a holistic lifestyle.

Evening, enjoy a peaceful session on meditation and relax your mind and body.

Overnight in Mararikulam at The Marari Beach Resort (Garden Villa)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 10: IN MARARIKULAM

Morning yoga session

Optional: Ride a cycle to the fisherman’s village to get a glimpse of life of fishermen

Evening meditation session

Morning Yoga on the beach followed by an Ayurveda session (optional and on direct payment) later in the day. This evening, attend a meditation session.

Overnight in Mararikulam at The Marari Beach Resort (Garden Villa)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 11: IN MARARIKULAM

Morning yoga session

Optional: The resort is well known for their variety of offerings in Wellness. The guests may experience a wellness treatment at the resort on direct payment basis.

Evening meditation session

Evening: Attend prayer ceremony at temple

Morning Yoga on the beach followed by an Ayurveda session (optional and on direct payment) later in the day. This evening, attend a meditation session.

In Hinduism, the temples observe a morning & evening ritual everyday to connect with the God. Visit a local temple to witness the evening prayer ceremony and understand the basic concepts of Hinduism from the priest of the temple.

Overnight in Mararikulam at The Marari Beach Resort (Garden Villa)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: MARARIKULAM-COCHIN-DEPARTURE

Morning: Free at leisure

Rooms will be available till noon.

In time, transfer to Cochin airport to board the onward flight.