Discover India’s astonishing cultural and spiritual richness on this magical 15-day journey through South India. The days will be filled with exploring India through her temples and ancient monuments, lively markets and rural landscapes. The tour also includes a 3-day stay in a lovely healing centre.
India is an ancient land where the spiritual mechanism that underpins all of life can still be felt to be breathing. It provides the perfect backdrop for personal transformation. This tour will amaze and inspire you!
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive in Chennai and transfer to a lovely beach resort in Mamallapuram, a vibrant fishing town. Enjoy the fabulous shops, relax by the resort’s beachside pool, enjoy a massage or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. In the late afternoon we have a group meeting.
Day Two
This morning we take part in a guided tour of seventh century world heritage monuments. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
Day Three
Today we have a scenic drive to Tiruvannamalai, the spiritual heart of South India.
Day Four to Seven
Over the next few days you will visit Sri Ramana’s ashram for vedic chanting, some ancient temples, hermit caves and the holy mountain Arunachula, as well as enjoying satsang with an amazing local resident.
Day Eight to Ten
Transfer to Pondicherry for a relaxing stay at one of Auroville’s lovely healing centres. Enjoy one of the amazing healing therapies available as well as the delicious organic food. Visit the Matri Mandir meditation centre and enjoy a short tour of the charming town of Pondicherry.
Day Eleven
Transfer to Chennai for a short flight to the captivating, historic town of Cochin. The afternoon is free and in the early evening, you will witness an exotic Kathakali dance performance.
Day Twelve
Go on a guided tour of the town where you will see India’s oldest church and synagogue and other great sites. In the afternoon, there is free time to enjoy Cochin’s wonderful shops, stroll along the waterways or enjoy a massage.
Day Thirteen
Today we have a short drive to Alleppey to board our lovely houseboat for a relaxing cruise around Kerala’s backwaters. Enjoy a fascinating view of life as it is lived along the southern waterways.
Day Fourteen
After breakfast we return to Cochin for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before a farewell group dinner.
Day Fifteen
Depart any time today.
Additional Information
This wonderful 15-day experience includes air-conditioned travel, all accommodation, all excursions and entrance fees, internal flight, many meals, guides, guide tips.
Price $4390 aud per person twin share
(Single supplement $1220 aud)
Your facilitator: Jay Weinstein
Jay Weinstein is a Mumbai-based, Hindi and English-speaking photographer and travel guide of mainly Australian-American heritage. At the age of 3, he moved to India with his schoolteacher parents and spent the next 12 years living in Vrindavan, a historic town filled with temples and monkeys. At 15, his family moved back to Australia to facilitate his secondary education. Though Jay thought he was done with India, he ended up returning year after year, drawn by her overpowering, vibrant, chaotic cadence. His passion for photography was ignited on these trips. Later, his profession had him traveling from the lush, palm-dotted southern states to the breathtaking Himalayan mountains of Nepal; the ancient majestic forts of Rajasthan to the unending paddy fields of West Bengal. Jay generously imparts his local knowledge and opens doors to many experiences ‘off the tourist trail’.
