Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat and Cultural Tour to Kerala ... · Enlightened Events Pty Ltd | ABN:...

Enlightened Events Pty Ltd | ABN: 50 134 875 595

PO Box 350, Randwick NSW 2031

Phone: +61.2.9398.1512

Email: [email protected] | www.enlightenedevents.com.au

Revised 4/9/19

Join us for a

Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat and Cultural Tour to Kerala, South India –

A Trip to Remember Expand your Strength, Courage and Wisdom

3-12 December 2020 - 10 Days/9 Nights

Is India calling you? Imagine immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of incredible India on this journey of self-discovery when you join us for a Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat and Cultural Tour to Kerala in South India. India is the birthplace of Yoga and has been a place of deep spiritual practice for millennia - a retreat in India is a journey to the deepest reaches of the self. Expand your Strength, Courage and Wisdom over 10 days in Kerala in South India. Your inspirational and highly experienced, retreat leader is Sal Flynn, Yoga therapy educator, psychotherapist and mindfulness trainer. India can be a challenging place to visit. Language, culture and, crowds can make travelling to India intimidating. We make it easy for you to enjoy the best of South India in a safe and fun way. Come see the real India with us.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.enlightenedevents.com.au/



Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

WHY THIS TRIP IS DIFFERENT: We take all the hard work out of booking a trip to India – saving you time and money

• By sourcing the best sites to see and the best places to stay and eat

• Your retreat is combined with travel to Kerala’s top cultural and spiritual destinations

• Experience a retreat with one of Australia’s leading Yoga retreat leaders, Sal Flynn

• We work with specialist travel agents, Bhutan & Beyond who have decades of experience

• They provide excellent customer service starting from the time of your booking

• and detailed, up to the minute travel advice, including visas, currency, flight

booking – critical when travelling to India

• They work directly with a travel partner on the ground in India

• It will be a trip to remember

“What a great trip! I had THE most amazing time in India with Sal Flynn and the other yoginis thanks to the great itinerary. So much to see and do – vibrant colours, great sight-seeing, fabulous accommodation, delicious food and such inspiring and yet calming yoga and meditation with Sal. So humbling to be in India, to walk the path of the great yogis and to also have such an amazing time filled with great memories. Thanks for a marvellous and awe inspiring journey.” Sharron Williams “Thank you for organising an excellent trip. A good balance of yoga, relaxation, fun, and excellent food and accommodation. The house boat cruise was the highlight for me, with its peaceful setting, refurbished accommodation and, of course, the delightful staff who looked after us so well and graciously. The beautiful resorts were an excellent backdrop for the yoga and a pleasant foil for the bus trips, jeep trip, markets and sightseeing.” Jo Daniels.





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Yoga, meditation, relaxation and mindfulness sessions on the theme of strength, courage

and wisdom

• Internationally acclaimed retreat leader and group facilitator, Sal Flynn

• Luxurious hotel and resort accommodation

• Destinations include Cochin, Alleppey, Kollam, Trivandrum and Alancholai

• Travel with like minded travelers

Cultural Experiences

• Kathakali Dance Drama performance

• Kalaripayuttu martial arts performance

• Visit famed Padmanaphpuram Palace

• Sightseeing tour of the capital city, Trivandrum

• Visit Cochin, historical centre of the spice trade

Spiritual Experience

• Amritapuri Ashram - home of Amma, the Hugging Mother

• Thiruvattar Temple and Puju (prayer ritual)

• Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram

• Padmanabhaswamy Vishnu temple

Special Experiences

• Overnight on a luxury houseboat in Kerala’s beautiful backwaters

• Hike to the sacred peak of Kali Malai – the abode of Mother Kali





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Itinerary Overview

City Date Includes Arrive Cochin Thu 3 Dec 2020 ❖ Meet at Cochin airport

❖ Group Transfer to hotel ❖ Overnight at Fragrant Nature Hotel

Cochin Fri 4 Dec 2020 ❖ “Stretch and Breathe” session ❖ Breakfast in the hotel ❖ Light lunch at a local hotel restaurant ❖ Enjoy some free time walking through the old city and

markets ❖ Afternoon yoga session at hotel 4.00pm-5.30pm ❖ Kathakali Dance Drama 6.15-7.30pm ❖ Dinner after Kathakali ❖ Overnight at Fragrant Nature

Cochin/Alleppey Sat 5 Dec 2020 ❖ Morning yoga session 7am-9am ❖ Breakfast in the hotel ❖ Transfer by coach to Alleppey approx 10.30am ❖ Lunch on houseboat ❖ Afternoon cruising on houseboat ❖ Late afternoon paddy field walk ❖ Dinner & overnight on houseboat

Alleppey/Kollam Sun 6 Dec 2020 ❖ Breakfast on the houseboat ❖ Transfer by coach to Fragrant Nature Resort, Kollam ❖ Lunch at resort ❖ Early afternoon at leisure ❖ Afternoon yoga session 4pm-6pm ❖ Dinner & overnight at Fragrant Nature Resort (Lake

View Villa)

Kollam Mon 7 Dec 2020 ❖ Morning yoga session 7am-9am ❖ Breakfast in the resort ❖ Visit to Matha Amritandamayi Ashram for tour and

meditation in the ashram temple. ❖ Lunch at the ashram ❖ Afternoon yoga session 3.30pm-5.30pm ❖ Overnight at Fragrant Nature Resort (Lake View Villa)





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Kollam Tue 8 Dec 2020 ❖ Morning yoga session 7am-9am ❖ Breakfast in the resort ❖ Leisure time during the day & lunch ❖ Book Ayurvedic treatments (optional extra) ❖ Afternoon yoga session 4.30pm-6pm ❖ Dinner & overnight at Fragrant Nature Resort (Lake

View Villa)

Kollam to Alancholai, Tamil Nadu

Wed 9 Dec 2020 ❖ Morning yoga session 7am-9am ❖ Breakfast in the resort ❖ Transfer by coach to Anantya Resort ❖ Sightseeing tour of Trivandrum en-route ❖ Lunch at a local restaurant ❖ Kalaripayuttu Performance 6.30pm ❖ Pool side dinner at Svaad ❖ Overnight at Anantya Resort (Chakra Cottage)

Alancholai Thu 10 Dec 2020 ❖ 05.30am early morning Kali Malai & Kuruchu Malai mountain hike with meditation or yoga at a local temple. 3.5+ hrs round-trip

❖ Followed by breakfast ❖ Late light lunch at resort from 2pm ❖ Afternoon yoga session 3pm-5pm ❖ In evening, witness the Bhagavaty Puja at your resort

5.30-7pm ❖ Dinner & overnight at Anantya Resort (Chakra Cottage)

Alancholai Fri 11 Dec 2020 ❖ Morning yoga session 7am-9am ❖ Breakfast in the resort ❖ Morning visit the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta

Dhanwantari Ashram, Neyyar ❖ Lunch at the resort ❖ Afternoon at leisure ❖ Evening yoga session 3pm-5pm. ❖ Dinner & overnight at hotel (Chakra Cottage)

Alancholai/ Trivandrum

Sat 12 Dec 2020 ❖ Morning yoga session from 7am-9am ❖ Breakfast in the resort ❖ Morning at leisure and check-out 10.30am ❖ Lunch in the resort ❖ Afternoon shopping excursion in Trivandrum ❖ Dinner in Trivandrum ❖ Transfer to International Airport at approx 7.30pm





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat The Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat will focus on expanding your Strength, Courage and Wisdom. We all require strength, courage and wisdom to fully engage with the important aspects of our lives, whether that be our relationships, work or wellbeing. Over 14 Yoga, mindfulness and meditation sessions we will draw from the vast wisdom of yoga practice using Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing practices) and Meditation to evoke the strength, courage and wisdom that is already within. We will draw on the element of Earth in our daily practice and we will build the strength and resilience we need to embrace change and take advantage of the opportunities that life offers us. We will connect with the element of Fire. Fire is the great transformer that clears away the obstacles that stand our way so we can see clearly and allow creativity and wisdom to be revealed. In our morning session, we will practice strength building asana and pranayama that will enliven our energy and prepare up to be inspired by the beautiful landscape and culture of Kerala. The afternoon practice will be restorative, quieting and calming, leading us to a period of stillness and reflection to move into the deeper realms of this ancient and sacred science. During the Yoga, mindfulness and meditation sessions during the retreat, we will learn to acknowledge our own needs as well as techniques to build resources to create a fulfilled and satisfying life. Within each one of us is a vast resource of strength, courage, beauty and compassion. Our essential nature is empowered, wise, inspired, confident and joyful. This retreat is suitable for you whether you are a beginner or advanced Yoga practitioner.





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Detailed Itinerary

Arrive Cochin Airport Meet & assistance on arrival by our travel executive including a tour briefing. Transfer to your hotel.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

Overnight at hotel – Fragrant Nature Hotel Kochi.

Friday 4 Dec: Cochin

Morning “Stretch and Breathe” yoga session from 8.00am-8.45am. Breakfast in the hotel Free time to relax & explore Fort Kochi and local markets. Light lunch at a local hotel restaurant. Afternoon yoga session hotel at 4.00pm-5.30pm.

This evening from 6.15pm you will be invited to witness KATHAKALI – the ancient and traditional dance drama of Kerala. The drama shows different scenes from the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Enjoy dinner after the show at a local restaurant.

Overnight at hotel Fragrant Nature Kochi

Thursday 3 Dec: Singapore/Cochin by international flight





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Saturday 5 Dec: Cochin/Alleppey by road (60kms/1.5hrs)

Morning yoga session at the hotel; 7am-9am. Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Alleppey, known as Venice of the East. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters & lagoons with a wonderful past. It owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century. The Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala, was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha region had trade relations with ancient Greece & Rome in the pre Jesus era. Alleppey is now the hub for backwaters tourism in Kerala.

This afternoon you will ply the canals of the massive lake where you can witness the people going about their daily routine. Late afternoon paddy field walk. Dinner & Overnight on the houseboat





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Sunday 6 Dec: Alleppey/Kollam by road (175kms/5-6 hrs)

Breakfast on the houseboat Disembark the houseboat at Alleppey boat Jetty Drive to Kollam and check in at Fragrant Nature Resort for afternoon at leisure Afternoon yoga session in the hotel activity room; 4pm-6pm Dinner & overnight at hotel – Fragrant Nature Resort and Ayurveda Spa

Monday 7 Dec: Kollam

Morning yoga session in the hotel; 7am – 9am Breakfast in the hotel Today you will visit the Matha Amritandamayi Ashram (50 Km drive) where you will tour the ashram, enjoy a meditation session and have lunch at the ashram Afternoon Yoga Session in the hotel activity room; 3.30pm-5.30pm Overnight at hotel – Fragrant Nature Resort and Ayurveda Spa

Tuesday 8 Dec: Kollam

Morning yoga session in the hotel; 7am-9am Breakfast in the hotel Your day is at leisure to relax in the hotel grounds and pool. Book your Ayurveda treatments (optional extra.) Afternoon yoga session in the hotel; 4.30pm-6pm. Dinner & overnight at hotel – Fragrant Nature Resort and Ayurveda Spa





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Wednesday 9 Dec: Kollam/Alancholai area - Tamil Nadu by road (50kms/2hrs)

Morning yoga session in the hotel 7-9am. After breakfast depart for Alancholai and en-route enjoy a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum followed by lunch.

Trivandrum also called Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC. Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. The name is derived from 'Tiru Ananta Puram', the abode of the Sacred serpent Ananta, upon whose coils Vishnu lying in the main temple.

Padmanabhaswamy temple is a famous Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu located inside the Fort in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The Temple is one of the 108 Divya desam, the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yoga nidra). Only Hindus can enter this South Indian Temple - the men are required to remove their shirt while entering the temple; however, its architecture is worth viewing. Sri Chitra Art Gallery of Trivandrum is an art lover's paradise. Only a true admirer of art will know the joy of visiting this beautiful art gallery. It is a very famous landmark in Kerala and has a vast collection of paintings not just from India, but also from countries like Japan, China and Indonesia. Afterwards have lunch in a local restaurant before transferring to Anantya Resort. Arrive to a Chendamelai traditional Kerala drum welcome. For those opting for Ayurveda spa treatments a consultation with an Ayurveda Doctor will be offered for your personalized treatment plan (optional and extra cost). 6:30 pm: Kalaripayattu (traditional martial arts) demonstration by the pool side followed by dinner at Svaad. Kalaripayattu is a truly dramatic 1 hr performance with 10 artists including different styles of combat finishing with “fire torches” Overnight at hotel – Anantya Resort. Chittar Lake, Kanyakumari District, Alancholai, Tamil Nadu





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Thursday 10 Dec: Alancholai

This morning drive to Kali Malai (1 hr jeep ride each way) & hike to the peak (30 mins), a beautiful pilgrimage spot and which offers local foods on a Sunday. Drive from Anantya Resort through scenic lake countryside & rubber plantations, viewing the dam en-route, to the base of Kali Malai – the abode of Mother Kali for Hindus and Jesus Christ for Christians. Ascend the tropical pathway to the peak on foot. The altitude at the top is just over 800 metres. From your vantage point you will have splendid views on a clear day and you can see the resort far below. Take your yoga mats and enjoy either a mediation and/or yoga session at the local temple and join the locals for breakfast at the temple. Late light lunch at 2pm at your resort. Afternoon yoga session at hotel; 3pm-5pm. Early this evening, 5.30-7pm, witness the Bhagavaty Puja at the resort with a Brahmin priest. Dinner & overnight at hotel – Anantya Resort.

Friday 11 Dec: Alancholai

Morning yoga session in the hotel; 7am-9am followed by breakfast in the hotel Visit the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram at Neyyar Dam, a 45 min drive each way and spend some time at the ashram, participating in yoga practice. Return to resort for lunch and this afternoon is at leisure Afternoon yoga session at the resort; 3pm-5pm. After the yoga session enjoy a north Indian themed barbeque dinner at “The Flat rock” in nearby Vaikundam plantations. The flat rock is a space within the rubber estate offering very different views of the resort. Reach this area, either by a pleasant 45-minute walk or by jeep, at around 6:00 pm just before sundown. Then after dark enjoy a campfire and some music with dinner. Overnight at hotel – Anantya Resort





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Saturday 12 Dec: Trivandrum

Morning yoga session in the hotel; 7am-9am followed by breakfast at the hotel Morning at leisure until room check-out between 10.30-11.00am Enjoy lunch in the resort followed by an afternoon shopping excursion to Trivandrum. Later that day enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner transfer to Trivandrum International Airport in time to connect your flight to onward destination.

====END OF LAND TOUR SERVICES====

Itinerary subject to change due to the nature of travel in India.

Cost Includes: - - Accommodation share double/twin room at the following hotels:

City Hotels Category Nights

Cochin Fragrant Nature Hotel Dukes Chamber 2

Alleppey Houseboat Premier 1

Kollam Fragrant Nature Resort Lake View Villas 3

Kovalam Anantya Resort Chakra Cottage 3

- All meals starting from Breakfast on December 4 and finishing with dinner on December 12; - Kathakali dance drama ticket - Entrance tickets to the monuments - All transfers/sightseeing tours/excursions by one Air-Conditioned Mini Coach Vehicle - Yoga mats at hotels - Yoga, mindfulness and meditation sessions - Services of local English-speaking guide in Cochin and Trivandrum - Kalaripayuttu: martial arts performance - Temple Visit with puja ceremony - Present applicable taxes as at 1 June 2019.





Phone: +61.2.9398.1512


Revised 4/9/19

Cost excludes: - - Any meals other than mentioned above; - Ayurvedic treatments; - International and Domestic Airfares; - Items of personal nature i.e. laundry, drinks, phone calls, camera fee, tips etc. - Travel Insurance, visa charges etc. Cost for All-inclusive Land Tour: Please note all costs are quoted in US Dollars US$3995 – Twin/double share - Early bird for the first 4 bookings received. US$4145 – Twin/double share - Full price Single supplement – Add US$1500 per person To book your place on this amazing trip: Please note all deposit payments are taken in Australian dollars. A$500 deposit is due at the time of booking. A$500 second deposit due within 14 days of booking. A$1000 third deposit due once minimum numbers are reached. Final balance due 2 October 2020

Deposit payments can be made by clicking here. Payments are non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled.



http://enlightenedevents.com.au/enlightened-events-store/seminars-and-workshops/yoga-and-mindfulness-retreat-and-cultural-tour-to-kerala-india-deposit-payment

Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat and Cultural Tour to Kerala ... · Enlightened Events Pty Ltd | ABN:...

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