South India Yātrā
OCTOBER 02 -12, 2024
Carefully crafted, this 10 night pilgrimage tour of Southern India will offer you the most meaningful memories of a lifetime.
Experience a rich cultural immersion, including significant ancient temple sites, backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic hubs, yoga, traditional regional performing arts, mountains, & more. Venture across Karṇātaka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Envision an experience of India where:
You feel safe, secure, but not sheltered from truly touching the chaos, beauty, and irony of the Mother Land
You feel deeply connected to the culture, people, traditions, and customs
You feel enriched on the daily, in awe, and spiritually invigorated at the most sacred sites
You create long lasting memories that are so cherished you want to keep them close to your heart
MEET AMY
A beacon for those craving a connection to tradition and timeless wisdom, Amy has cemented herself as a global teacher, mentor, mama, practitioner, podcast host, speaker, and eternal student.
Renowned for her sold-out retreats, Amy has contributed extensively to Australian Yoga Journal, Om Yoga & Lifestyle magazine, YOGA Magazine (UK), and Nature & Health magazine (AU). She has presented at Wanderlust, Evolve, Byron Spirit Fest, and Ekam Yoga Festival. You can listen to her Living In Alignment podcast on all major platforms.
Having travelled extensively across India almost every year since 2012 – through both study and leisure – Amy is wholeheartedly committed to offering others an experience of the birthplace of Yoga and Ayurveda. Specifically one that highlights the depth and beauty of the “Mother Land” that has brought her the greatest richness across all facets of her life.
What is Included?
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR INCREDIBLE ITINERARY
DAY ONE
Bangalore arrival and transfer (included) to La Marvella Hotel.
Recommended to arrive at Bangalore International Airport.
DAY TWO
Group breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure – a perfect time for shopping. Depart for Hassan, visiting the sacred Jain pilgrimage Sranavanabelagola Temple. Check in to Hoysala Village Resort. Dinner included.
DAY THREE
Breakfast Included. Leave for Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple. After the visit, continue for Belur. Then onto Halebid for the visit of Hoysaleshwara Temple. Dinner at hotel included.
DAY FOUR
Breakfast at Hoysala. Travel onward to Mysore, stopping via Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. Lunch included. Check in to Metropole Royal Orchid Hotel. Evening visit to Mysore Palace.
DAY FIVE
Breakfast at hotel included. Drive to Kozhikode along the scenic mountain route.
Afternoon Yoga with Amy.
Dinner included at Raviz Kadavu, our accommodation for the night.
DAY SIX
Breakfast included at Raviz Kadavu Hotel. Morning live Kalarippayattu demonstration at CVN Kalari – the traditional ancient marital art of Kerala. Travel onward to a visit at Kottakkal Aryavidyasala Museum, herbal garden, and the medicine factory (depending on time available).
Arrival to Kochi, check in to Fort House Hotel. Evening performance of ancient mythical Kathakali.
DAY SEVEN
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to Kerala Folklore Museum with fascinating ancient architecture, sculptures, weapons, manuscripts of medicines, ancient tribal jewellery, stone age utensils, and more. Then a short window of time at leisure (including lunch at own expense). Enjoy coastal breezes, then travel onward to Alleppey, checking in at Punnamada. Evening sunset backwater cruise and dinner included.
DAY EIGHT
Breakfast included at Resort. Travel onward to Kovalam, via a stop at Mannarasala Temple – nestled in a forest glade near Haripad. Visit the noteworthy Nagaraja temple, flocked by pilgrims and devotees. Travel onward via cliff top lunch (at own expense) at Varkala Beach.
Check into Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort. Ayurvedic dinner included.
DAY NINE
Breakfast included at Somatheeram. Day at leisure to recharge – included yoga session with Amy. Option to enjoy a massage, Ayurvedic treatment or consultation, explore the area, head for an ocean swim, or simply rest.
Traditional Ayurvedic dinner included at Somatheeram.
DAY TEN
Full day adventure, with a packed breakfast supplied by Somatheeram. Travel early to visit Thanumalayan temple in Suchindram. Followed by a visit to Nagarcoil to experience Nagaraja temple. Local lunch at leisure (own expense). Travel south to Kanyakumari to see Triveni Sangam, the worlds only confluence of three seas. Time at leisure, option to visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial via boat. Final visit to Shakti Peetham site, the Bhagavathi Amman Temple for darshan. Evening group dinner nearby (at own expense).
DAY ELEVEN
Final Ayurvedic breakfast included at Somatheeram.
Check out by 12PM.
Transfer included to Trivandrum airport. Trivandram airport is an established international airport with many connections, including back to Bangalore should you with to return home from there.
Our time together begins:
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IMPORTANT NOTES
Please also see formal Terms & Conditions of the Yātrā further below.
Flights, travel insurance, tips/gratuities, visa costs, extra travel, incidental expenses, and extra meals are not included.
Itinerary, schedule, and visits are subject to change depending on delays caused by
weather, traffic, and other elements.
In the unexpected absence of availability of quoted hotels, all efforts will be made to
confirm similar accommodation.
Participants are required to dress modestly. This includes covering knees, shoulders, chest/cleavage, and in some cases at temples this includes covering the head (for females). Please consider investing in traditional attire, such as a Kurta or Salwar Kameez for temple visits. Amy can assist with more details and where to purchase lovely cotton options.
Got a question?
Here are some answers:
Do I need a visa?
Yes, you’ll need to obtain a tourist visa prior to arriving. The cost varies depending on your nationality and the length of visa you would like.
Will I be safe?
Naturally, there is risk anywhere in the world. However, please know that this tour has been curated in collaboration with Mantra Wild, a tour operations company in Sydney Australia specialising in India tours. We have a team on the ground with reputable drivers and support contacts anytime. We will be visiting areas generally regarded as safe and all accomodations secure.
What should I wear?
Fortunately the weather should be just right – not too hot and not too cold. Be prepared to wear clothing that covers knees and shoulders. Please ensure you do not wear anything that reveals underwear or bra straps, nor cleavage. Avoid transparent or overly tight clothing (unless it is leggings with a long shirt dress or “kurta” on top). Full length pants or skirts are great. Short sleeve and long sleeved tshirts are also excellent options. It is recommended, for females, to purchase a couple of Kurtas on arrival to wear at temples. Plus a cotton scarf to put over shoulders and head if needed. Amy will advise you when booking as to the best stores to purchase these items that are lovely quality and beautiful enough to wear when you’re back home!
For males specifically, longer shorts or pants and collared short sleeved shirts are recommended. T-shirts are also fine. However collared shirts are required for entering temples.
Is there a payment plan available?
After your deposit is placed, the amount owing can be paid in two split payments, as long as they’re made by the set due dates noted in the T&C.
Any bookings made after 30 June 2024 will require a payment in full.
What if I would like a refund?
Payments are non-refundable. Payments, once received, are held in a trust account then sent to the team in India. Hotels have strict policies in place which impact our T&C.
If you’re concerned that you may need to cancel due to a medical issue or unforeseen circumstances, you would be able to make a travel insurance claim. It is strongly advised you purchase travel insurance as soon as you have placed a deposit to give you security and peace of mind.
Do I need a COVID vaccination? Or any others?
You do not need to be vaccinated against COVID to enter India. No other vaccines are required either. There are recommendations for vaccinations and medication to take in preparation for your travels, however none are mandatory. Please consult your medical practitioner for professional advice.
READY TO JOIN US?
Here is what you’ll pay for our experience together (per person twin share):
PRICES SHOWN ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT PAYMENT: $1800 AUD
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
Deposit is strictly non-refundable, but transferable. Should you need to transfer your place, you will be required to find your replacement participant and arrange the transfer of your portion of payment.
50% of remaining balance is due no later than March 01, 2024. Final payment is required in full by July 01, 2024.
Payment plans are available should this be required – by advance written request only. If payments are late and overdue, without communication on the matter, your booking will be released and non refundable.
You are responsible for and must ensure you have adequate travel insurance to cover costs if your travels are cancelled due to personal illness, injury, or any unforeseeable event. Mantra Wild (the “Supplier”) and / or Amy Landry shall not be liable for any losses incurred associated with your travel due to any circumstances outside of our immediate control.
You may be required by law in your own country of origin or residency/citizenship to travel with COVID cover as a part of your travel insurance policy. You may also be required to be fully vaccinated upon leaving and reentering your country of origin. As a participant, you are fully responsible for knowing the requirements and laws of travel, which could be subject to change at any time. Should you be unable to attend due to changes in your capacity to travel, any losses are to be directed to your travel insurance provider and are not the responsibility of Amy Landry or Mantra Wild (the “Supplier”).
All payments are non-refundable after their due date. However, payments are refundable should you pay prior to each due date and decide to cancel before the due date arrives (excluding the non-refundable deposit).
Any outstanding payments not received by the due date give both Mantra Wild and Amy Landry the right to void/release/cancel your booking. Please be in communication with us via email if you’re in financial difficulty and we can make adjustments with advance notice.
Travel insurance is essential for your participation.
Your passport details will be required once your deposit is made.
The tour itinerary and inclusions are subject to change, pending weather, delays, traffic, and other unforeseen circumstances out of the control of Amy Landry and Mantra Wild. All efforts will be made to organise alternative details as close to the original quoted inclusions.