Santhigiri Ashram Santhigiri Ashram is a world-renowned spiritual center founded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru in 1964. Exhorting its followers to lead a life at peace with God and Nature, the ashram promotes transcendental spiritual values… More
The Thanumalayan Temple is an important Hindu temple located in Suchindram, near Kanyakumari – Tamil Nadu.
The religious significance of the temple stems from the fact that the main statue of a linga in the temple represents the three main deity in Hinduism – Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma – which makes it unique in India.
The temple is also an architectural achievement, known for its quality of workmanship in stone. Among others superb and atmospheric places within the temple, there are four musical pillars carved out of a single stone and there are an additional 1035 pillars, known as the dancing hall. There is also a Hanuman statue approx 6.7m tall carved out of single granite block.
During December and January there is a Car or Chariot Festival, lasting 10 days, attracting thousand of pilgrims from different parts of India. (Source)
Kanyakumari is located at the southernmost point of the Indian subcontinent. It is the meeting point of three seas – the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari is a well known place for its beautiful views of the sunrises, sunsets and moonrises over the waters.
Our Lady of Ransom Church – From the shore where the fishing boats are moored you can see the three towering spires of this beautiful off-white Gothic structure with a distinct Portuguese feel.
Vivekananda mid-sea Rock Memorial is a sacred monument and popular tourist attraction, standing on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off the mainland. These rocks have been regarded as a sacred place since times immemorial . The Memorial was built in 1970 to commemorate the great spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda visit in December 1892. He swam to this rock and meditated about the past, present and future of India. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher. A meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for visitors to meditate.
The design of the hall incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. The merger of three seas can be seen from these rocks.
The Gandhi Memorial (or Gandhi Mandapam) has been built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma’s ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central Indian Hindu temples in form, the memorial was designed in such a way that on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, 2 October, the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept.
Thiruvananthapuram (“City of the Sacred Serpent“), the capital of Kerala, is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west. Also known as Trivandrum in the popular parlance the city is home to temples and museums. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern, and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination. With a good infrastructure, the city is an excellent base to explore Varkala, a famous seaside holiday destination.
Named after Anantha Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu, the city is home to many ancient temples. But the landmark is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple around which the city has been built on seven low hills. Clean and green, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Dharamshala is the centre of the Tibetans in exile. Following the 1959 Tibetan uprising, there was an influx of Tibetan refugees who followed the 14th Dalai Lama. His presence and the Tibetan population have made Dharamshala a popular destination for Indian and foreign tourists, including students studying Buddhism.
The village of McLeodGanj, lying in the upper ridges, is known worldwide for the presence of the main residence of the Dalai Lama. On 29 April 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) established the Tibetan exile administration in the north Indian hill station of Mussoorie. In May 1960, the Central Tibetan Administration was moved to Dharamshala.
Surrounded by dense coniferous forest ,the suburbs include McLeod Ganj, Bhagsunath, Dharamkot, Naddi, ForsythGanj, Kotwali Bazaar, Kaccheri Adda, Dari, Ramnagar, Sidhpur, and Sidhbar (wikipedia.org)
2018 Price: €650 per person sharing – €250 single room supplement
Add this extension after our Spiritual Trip for the special price of €450
Spend 5* extra days in Munnar to enjoy tranquility, sightseeing, wildlife, and extraordinary  landscapes.
“Munnar rises as three mountain streams merge . 1,600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve years, will bloom next in 2018. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.” (keralatourism.org)
*4 days in Munnar and 1 day back in Kochi
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The Country of religion will give you a chance to learn about yourself
A time to journey inwards, search among our souls, prayer and meditation. Switch off from your daily life and enjoy this trip that touches different aspects of Indian traditions, a complex medly of colours, religions, people, sounds, tastes…. leave all your problems behind, and focus on this new world for an unforgettable time.
NOTE: bookings NOW OPEN
Book this trip – click the button above or here
23 October – Arrive at Delhi Airport mid morning – pick up and relax in hotel
24 October – Visit Delhi highlights and bazaars – the Lakhxmi Narayan Temple Complex, India Gate, the Lotus Temple and more –  option of shopping and ayurvedic treatments
25 October -After breakfast, drive to  Rishikesh, considered the Yoga Capital of India. Local sightseeing. In the evening attending Haridwar‘s aarti or prayers on the Gange
26 – 27 October – Further sightseeing in Rishikesh and Haridwar
28 October – Morning at leisure, early afternoon we are driving back to Delhi
29 October – After breakfast, drive to Agra – local sightseeing and visit of Marble Inlay work places
30 October – At dawn we are visiting the Taj Mahal , return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, drive to to Jaipur –   check in hotel
31 October– Sightseeing of Jaipur – Amber Fort, Wind Palace, Monkey Temple, Tiger Fort etc
1 November– Further sightseeing in Jaipur – Optional  ayurvedic treatments, shopping in the bazaar, consultation with a Vedic Astrologer, etc
2 November– Afternoon drive towards Delhi – check in our resort close to Delhi Airport
3 November– Â Day at leisure, relax and final time togetherÂ
4 November– early morning, drive to Delhi Airport to catch the return flight  [based on Emirates / Etihad / Qatar / Virgin]
2018 Price: €850 per person sharing – €350 single room supplement
NOTE: bookings for this trip are now OPENÂ
Travel with a small group to Kerala, South India and enjoy backwaters, tropical weather, spiritual sites,  cultural traditions, amazing food,  inspiring landscapes and relaxation!
This is the best time of the year to travel to  Kerala, when the tropical weather is around 32 C.  Beautiful unspoiled beaches lead to a warm clear sea;  the gentle rolling of the houseboats along the backwaters is truly relaxing;  the authentic ayurveda treatments help in soothing the spirit;  the culture and spirituality of this ancient locality will absorb every single inch of our being.
           Book this retreat by clicking the button above or here
29 Dec – Arrive at Cochin Airport – pick up and drive to our Hotel in  Kodanand, Kochi. Overnight stay, relaxing after the long flight, exchange currency and other local activities.
30 Dec – After breakfast, we are visiting  the Kodanand Elephant Training Center where there is a sanctuary and we will have a chance to see the pachyderms bath. Relax in hotel.  Ayurveda treatments, yoga and meditation classes are available within the Hotel.
31 Dec – After breakfast, we are driving to Mararikulam.  Evening: New Years Eve Gala Dinner by the pool in our beach resort
1 Jan – Day at leisure, enjoying Marari beach, with a chance of visiting local fishermen village and local Temples and Churches – Ayurveda treatments, yoga and meditation classes are available within our resort
2 Jan – Day at leisure, enjoying Marari beach –  Ayurveda treatments, yoga and meditation classes are available within the resort
3 Jan – In the morning we will drive to  Alleppey to board around 12.30am  a luxury Houseboat for a day excursion, enjoying the wildlife as we boat. We will arrive in our resort on the backwaters on Lake Vembanad around 5pm – check in and relax in hotel
4 Jan – Day at leisure and optional shopping in the bazaar of the town of Vaikom, and local sightseeing of the local Mahadevi Temple – Ayurveda treatments, yoga and meditation classes are available within the resort
5 Jan – A relaxing day on the backwaters, with optional boating on the lake or walking excursions to experience the authentic village life of farmers, fishermen, etc. Optional visit to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (25km away) – The Bird Sanctuary is located in this enchanting backwater destination, and is spread across 14 acres.Â
6 Jan – After breakfast, we are driving to Kochi  –  relax in hotel
7 Jan – Kochi sightseeing – Dutch Palace, Santa Cruz Basilica, Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets
8 Jan – Early morning, drive to Cochin Airport to catch the return flight / onward destination
2018 Price: €899 per person sharing – Single Supplement – not available
2018 Extension : add 5 days on the hill station of Munnar for €399
Morning yoga in the grounds of our heritage hotel, during the Spiritual Trip to India, October 2017
Getting on with things at Jaipur, during our Spiritual Trip to India, October 2017
Water Palace in Jaipur, visit during our Spiritual Trip to India, October 2017
Ohm Retreats 