Revealing the Spirit

KERALA, INDIA

Yoga Retreat

January 20 - 27, 2025

Kochi and Varkala, Kerala, India

“Revealing the Spirit” is an 8-day pilgrimage of discovery in Kerala, India.

This journey is about navigating the relationship between ourselves, the world, and the divine. It’s about discovering how the world affects us and how our yogic practices and mindset affect how we see the world.

The history, culture, and people of Kerala have inspired us, and we see it as an ideal (and idyllic) setting for a journey of self-discovery.

Kerala is known as God’s Own Country. It is a region of natural splendor and diverse spiritual traditions. Beautiful beaches, lush backwaters, and green mountains are squeezed into a narrow strip of land. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Jains co-exist in a delightful abundance of temples, mosques, and churches that sit side by side across the region.

We begin our quest in Fort Kochi, a quaint heritage town filled with picturesque lanes and remnants of its colonial past. Kochi has more recently become home to a thriving arts scene. Ayurvedic spas, temples, art galleries, and designer boutiques are hidden throughout the town.

From Fort Kochi, we will travel together by train, taking in the lush natural beauty of the Keralan countryside. Traveling by train is one of the quintessential Indian experiences, and we will ride in a comfortable air-conditioned car.

Our final days will be spent in Varkala, a tiny beach-side village perched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. The town is also home to a 2000-year-old Hindu temple.

This journey of discovery through Kerala is a journey of self-exploration. We learn more about ourselves by learning about the world around us. As we guide you across Kerala, we hope to reveal the spirit of the land. Yoga will be your constant companion in this magical place. It will be your inward guide helping reveal the true essence of who you are.

This is the spirit of our retreat

  • Old Street in Kochi's Jewish Quarter

    Kochi's Jewish Quarter

  • Hotel in Varkala

    Our Home in Varkala

  • Temple in Varkala

    Temple in Varkala

  • Chinese FIshing Nets in Varkala

    Chinese Fishing Nets

Trip Highlights

  • Women practicing yoga in Varkala

    Daily Yoga Practice

    Each morning, Angela will guide our yoga practice in our yoga shala surrounded by tropical trees. Imagine saluting the sun while the birds chirp and incense perfumes the air. As the sun sets, we will gather in the shala for a lighter evening practice.

  • Bram leading group on walking tour

    Guided Walking Tours

    Bram will lead two immersive walking tours in Fort Kochi and guide us through the Janardanaswamy Temple in Varkala. He will teach the history and culture of southern India as we explore the region’s historic sights and spiritual landmarks.

  • Traditional dance in Varkala

    Indian Cultural Activities

    We have hand picked and planned an assortment of cultural experiences & excursions to learn more about our host country. These will range from temple visits to dance performances to a cooking class.

  • South Indian thali (meal)

    Delicious Meals

    Experience the flavors of Keralan cuisine from some of the best local restaurants in Fort Kochi and Varkala. Did we mention that Bram’s superpower is finding the best ‘off the beaten track’ places to eat wherever we travel? You’re welcome. ;-)

  • Oil massage table

    Ayurvedic Treatments

    Kerala is a famous center for Ayurveda. A traditional Abhyanga massage using warm, herbal oils is included in your retreat. You will also have time to book additional Ayurvedic treatments or consultations.

    • 8 days, 7 nights accommodation:

      • 4 nights accommodation at a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi

      • 3 nights accommodation in a boutique hotel near Varkala Beach

    • Breakfast and dinner every day

      • 3 lunches are included

      • Every meal will offer vegetarian and vegan options

    • Airport transfers from Cochin International Airport (COK) and to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV)

    • Train ticket from Kochi to Varkala

    • Themed yoga and meditation class(s) each day with Angela

    • Daily discussions about India’s history and culture with Bram

    • 2 days of walking tours in Fort Kochi with visits to cultural and historical sites, including:

      • Mattancherry Palace

      • Medieval Jewish Quarter

      • Sixteenth-century Church of St. Francis

      • Medieval Chinese Fishing Nets

    • Traditional Ayurvedic massage

    • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking class

    • Kathakali dance performance

    • Visit to the 2,000 year old Sri Janardanaswamy Temple

    • Taxes & Fees

    • Air Fare

    • Travel Insurance

    • Spending money

    • Alcohol

    • Lunch on 3 days

    • Tips for local staff

    • Additional Ayurvedic treatments

    • Any optional excursions (we can suggest a few!)

  • Our Kerala retreat is much more than a yoga holiday. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture and learn from the Keralan people. As with all Shared Pilgrimage, we will keep our group small - just 12 people!

    As we get lost in the tree-lined lanes of Fort Kochi and the beachside paths of Varkala, you will also have the opportunity to get to know the people around you and travel inward to learn about yourself.

    As Proust’s famous line says, the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new places but in seeing with new eyes.

    Our intention for this journey is to help you discover more about India and yourself.

    Bram will lead the outward portion of our journey. He will guide us through and explain Kerala’s cultural and historic sites.

    Angela will guide the journey inward, teaching themed yoga and meditation classes. She will help you dive deep within yourself to notice the imprint of this unforgettable place and its people.

    “Thus travel spins us round in two ways at once: It shows us the sights and values and issues that we might ordinarily ignore; but it also, and more deeply, shows us all the parts of ourselves that might otherwise grow rusty. For in traveling to a truly foreign place, we inevitably travel to moods and states of mind and hidden inward passages that we’d otherwise seldom have cause to visit.” - Pico Iyer

Why We Chose Kerala

Accommodation

Heritage Hotel in Fort Kochi

We have secured the exclusive rental of a beautiful, 9-bedroom heritage house in Fort Kochi for the first 4 nights of this retreat.

The house is over 100 years old and built in a British colonial style. It’s been renovated and now includes a swimming pool, gardens, lounge areas, and a yoga shala beneath a mango tree.

Throughout our stay in Fort Kochi, this unique hotel will be our safe haven of peace.​

Beach Cottages in Varkala

Varkala is both a historic Hindu pilgrimage center and a beach oasis. We will stay in a green and lush boutique hotel. We have reserved a set of secluded cottages with private access for our group.

Each cottage includes a private bathroom and sitting area. The group will share exclusive access to a yoga shala and a private communal space. The hotel also includes an intimate cafe and other areas to relax.

Just a few minutes walk from the hotel are shops atop the cliffs and stairs descending to the beach.

An $800 non-refundable deposit secures your spot on the retreat.

  • Pilgrims who have participated in previous Shared Pilgrimage retreats receive a $200 discount before July 1, 2024.

  • A second payment of $1,000 will be due by September 1, 2024.

  • The remaining balance is due by December 1, 2024.

If you need to discuss alternative payment options, please contact us.

Single Occupancy (private room) = $3300 per person

Double Occupancy (shared room) = $2800 per person

Pricing

FAQs

  • Travel in India

    All international travel requires stepping outside one's comfort zone. If you have never traveled with us before, or have any questions about travel in the developing world, we ask that you have a chat with us before submitting your deposit.

    Weather

    December to February is the best time to visit Kerala. The weather is warm and tropical, but you will avoid the extreme heat and monsoon rains. Days are usually hot with balmy evenings, so visitors should pack light and cool clothing. The average daily temperature is 85º F during the day and 70º F at night.

    Amenities & Internet

    Wi-fi access is complimentary. Laundry service is available for an additional cost.

  • What Airport Should I Fly Into?

    Cochin International Airport (COK) is the most convenient for arrival. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) is best for departure. If your return flight is from COK, we can help arrange your return transportation to Kochi at an additional cost.

    What Airlines Do You Recommend?

    No American carriers fly to Kochi, but the Gulf Carriers (e.g., Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar) fly to both COK and TRV.

    What Time Should I Plan to Arrive and Depart?

    Plan to arrive in Kochi no later than 2 pm on Monday, January 20 for check-in. Yoga and Welcome Circle begins at 4 pm, followed by dinner at our hotel.

    If you are flying home on January 27, please book your flight departure no earlier than 4 pm. We will depart from Varkala by 11 am, and you will need a few hours before your flight to check-in.

    ​What are good resources to Look for Flights?

    Our preferred search engine to first look for an international flight is Kayak. Expedia and JustFly are also good resources. We also recommend looking at an airline’s website after you find a flight on a search engine. There are sometimes better deals on the airline’s website.

    How Long Should I Wait to Buy My Flight?

    The recommended time to purchase international fares at the best deals varies. You’re likely to find the best deals 6 months to 3 months before your travel date.​​ 

    Kayak also makes recommendations about when is a good time to buy a flight.

    Flight Booking Advice

    We recommend booking flights directly with the carrier, rather than through a third party. Some tickets booked through third parties can be difficult to change due to unexpected events, such as inclement weather.

  • The $800 deposit secures your place and is non-refundable.

    If you wish to cancel your trip, you must notify Angela and Bram via email. Once we’ve received your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following:​

    • If cancellation takes place before August 1, 2024, any payments made will be refunded, minus your deposit.​

    • If cancellation takes place after August 1, 2024, all payments will be forfeited and no refunds will be given.

    • Any refunds will incur a 6% administrative cost

    • Always purchase travel insurance that covers your trip interruption, trip cancellation, luggage and/or valuables loss, and medical assistance, including repatriation if necessary. We recommend travel insurance that includes "cancel for any reason" coverage.

    • Please ensure that your passport is valid, with at least 6 months until expiry, and that you are aware of immigration/visa laws in India.

    • Visas: As a US citizen, if you want to travel to India for tourism, you must obtain a visa in advance. We will send you the link to apply for a visa directly from the Indian government. You can also use a third-party service, if you want help applying for a visa.

If you have any questions that we have not answered, please write to us HERE.