Journey to India
Enjoy a Yoga and Ayurveda retreat at the spectacular Chamundi Hill Palace in Kerala, South India. Visit the sacred cities of Madurai, Thanjavur and Mahabalipuram with François Raoult and Nathalie Alvarez.
December 28, 2012 -January 11, 2013
As students of yoga and life, going back to the Source and meeting Mother India will be a blessing for our practice and teaching.
photo album
ITINERARY
DECEMBER 28, 2012
Depart from U.S. or Europe to Co- chin, Kerala, South India, via Dubai.
DECEMBER 30
Transfer by minibus from Cochin airport to Chamundi Hill Palace in Kanjirapally. The Palace is an Ayurvedic resort nestled in the western Ghats at 1,300 feet above sea level—literally at the top of the mountain, with 360 degrees views. Nice and cool! Located amid rubber and cardamon estates, pineapple plantations and lush greenery, the palace has an organic garden that will supply our meals.
DECEMBER 31 TO JANUARY 5
Five-day Yoga and Ayurveda retreat at Chamundi Hill Palace. The Palace also will be our base for exploring the Kerala backwaters, elephant bathing, Puja in the family temple (showing reverence in con- nection to the divine), Kathakali and other regional sites.
JANUARY 5
Depart for the sacred city of Madurai. Stay at Royal Court Hotel, deluxe accommodations with two participants per room. Visit the Great Temple.
JANUARY 6
Depart for Thanjavur.
JANUARY 7
Explore Thanjavur. Visit of Temple and Palace.
JANUARY 8
Depart for Mahabalipuram via Gangacholapuram. Stay at Ideal Beach resort
JANUARY 9-10
Explore Mahabalipuram. Swim in the Bay of Bengal.
JANUARY 11
Depart from Chennai International Airport. Arrival in U.S. or Europe.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS
FRANCOIS RAOULT
is the founder and director of Open Sky Yoga Center in Rochester, NY. A certified Iyengar instructor, he has traveled and studied extensively in India. Francois has taught yoga since 1975 and conducts seminars in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico and India.
NATHALIE ALVAREZ
is Francois's partner in life and co-creator of the Journey to India. A pioneer in the fields of massage and transpersonal therapy since 1981, Nathalie directs L’Ecole du Corps Conscience, a training program in body-centered psychotherapy based in Montpellier, France. Nathalie’s work combines expression, symbolism, mandalas and color therapy. She cherishes a deep con- nection with Mother India.
LOGISTICS
COST
$3,150, not including airfare.
$2,950 if payed in full by April 1, 2012
$800 non-refundable deposit due January 15, 2012 (to cover reservations). Balance due Sept. 1, 2012. Fee includes all yoga sessions with Francois, transportation, meals, hotels, Ayurvedic massage, Kathakali performance, class excursions in Kerala natural areas and visits to sacred temples of Thanjavur, Madurai and Mahabalipuram. Payable by check or credit card. Indicate “Journey to India.”
FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS
For flight from Rochester to Cochin, return Chennai to Roch- ester, we have a group rate with a travel agency specializing in Indian travel. You will have to pay for your flight as soon as the reservation is confirmed.
IMMUNIZATIONS
None required at this time. Travel health recommendations for India from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/ desti- nationIndia.aspx “
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
A Visa is needed for India. See Travista Outsourcing, http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing. com/
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Suggested travel insurance: travelex.com or statravel.com