Join me on a sacred retreat to the ancient land of Yoga, Ayurveda and deep Spirituality. For 15 days we will be in the South Indian State of Kerala, also known as “God’s Own Country”, immersing ourselves in the practices of Ayurveda, Tantra, Yoga and Meditation in one-of-a-kind Ayurveda mountain retreat, heritage hotels and bespoke homestays – oases of serenity in the midst of beautiful nature and stunning scenery, allowing us to go deep within.
HIGHLIGHTS
REGISTRATION & FEE
Investment – Early Bird – $3,500 register by Jan. 31, 2022 ($1,000 deposit required);
Regular – $3,680
Includes all accommodations (single occupancy at Ayurveda retreat and shared at other places), all meals, Ayurveda treatments, sightseeing, cultural programs, ground transportation, and tour guide services; Does not include airfare to and from the US to India and discretionary tips; Space is limited to 12 retreatants.
Contact Sandhiya at [email protected] or 949.842.7504 to register
About me, your retreat curator & creator – Sandhiya Ramaswamy
For nearly 10 years, I’ve been a practitioner, master teacher and chef of Ayurveda, facilitating the improved wellbeing of hundreds of women and men through my one on one consultations, workshops and retreats. My practice Alchemy Ayurveda www.alchemyayurveda.com, is in Dana Point, California. Originally from India, I have had a life-long and intimate connection with all aspects of Spirituality – Ayurveda, Tantra and Yoga. Having lived in both India and America, I strive to bring the right blend of Eastern and Western sensibilities to my offerings. Guiding people on transformative spiritual journeys to India is one of my greatest passions, and I am so honored and grateful to be able to do this. Namaste.
OUR HOMES AWAY FROM HOME
Boutique Heritage Hotels, Kochi (Cochin) – 3 nights
Our homes away from homes in Kochi include stays at 2 of Kochi’s finest heritage properties, steeped in stories of Fort Kochi’s colonial past. The ancient and bustling port city of Kochi serves as our point of arrival and departure (airport code – COK) for this trip. During our stay we will take in the sights –among them the Chinese fishing nets, museum, and a 400 year old synagogue. One evening will be spent attending a dance performance at the cultural center.
River Resort, Calicut (Kozhikode) – 2 nights
Nestled on the banks of the legendary Chaliyar River is this beautiful resort. Inspired by the Nallukettu style (traditional Kerala homestead) of architecture this resort is spread across nine beautifully landscaped acres. The colorful Kerala mural art depicted throughout the resort, brings alive the mystical heritage of this state. This will be our resting point to and from the mountains of Wayanad.
Ayurveda Holistic Retreat, Wayanad – 7 nights
Our temple of Ayurveda for 7 days. Authentic Ayurveda retreat set on a serene and breathtaking mountain top, in the middle of a nature preserve in beautiful Wayanad – the land of misty peaks, paddy fields and virgin forests. This place is a gift of nature for those who seek quietude, calmness and serenity. The healing begins by just being in this womb of Mother Nature. We will be LIVING Ayurveda (and Yoga) for 7 days here. In this temple of Ayurveda, along with communing with nature, we will be immersed in daily Ayurveda (customized treatments, herbal medicines, food), Yoga, Mantra, Yoga Nidra, Satsangs and Poojas (fire ceremonies). Here, all the food comes from the organic garden, the milk (and ghee) from the cows lovingly tended to on the premises, and the honey from the forest. This promises to be a deeply spiritual experience, allowing us to retreat and go deep within. Here you will have your very own private cottage to enhance your experience of going inward.
Organic Farm Homestay, Vechoor – 2 nights
No trip to Kerala is complete without visiting it’s legendary backwaters. This homestay is a breathtakingly beautiful organic farm on it’s own island in the famed Kerala backwaters. This is a working farm – growing coconuts, bananas, various spices and vegetables. Here, we will be lovingly taken care of by the family (the grandmother is renowned for her cooking), who have been farming this land for generations. We will be staying in beautiful and spacious villas, located on the outer dyke facing the peaceful backwaters. These villas,designed by famous local architects, are furnished with antiques, including some beautifully carved and hand crafted doors and windows, which have been meticulously collected over the years. With plenty of lush green space to Yoga, meditate and contemplate, this place is a true paradise on earth.
PRICING DETAILS
Acommodations
Please note that all accommodations except 7 days at the Ayurveda retreat center are double/ shared occupancy.
If you would prefer your own private room (single occupancy) for the entire trip, please let me know as soon as possible. It can be arranged based on availability, at an additional cost (add $1,000)
Note – If you would like to arrive a day earlier (to get acclimatized), please let me know and accommodations can be arranged for an extra night at extra cost (depending on availability)
Trip Costs
$3,500 Early Bird Special – by January 31st – ($1,000 deposit required to reserve spot)
$3,680 Regular (after April 30)
Add $1,000 for single occupancy supplement
What’s included
- Accommodations for 14 nights
- All meals (15 days)
- Ground transportation for entire stay (including airport pickup and drop-off)
- 7 day Ayurveda Program – Treatments, doctor consultations, medicines, food
- Yoga, yoga nidra, meditation, Pooja, Satsangs
- Ayurveda, Tantra, Bhagavadgita talks
- Tour guide services
- Cultural program, entrance fee to museum visits & attractions
What’s not included
- Airfare from US to Kochi (Cochin) and back
- Any medicines prescribed by Ayurvedic doctor to take back home with you
- Personal Shopping expenses and items of a personal nature
- Food and beverages outside of what is provided as part of the retreat
- Tips (discretionary)
Payment Policy
Early Bird
$1,000 deposit (non-refundable) along with completed registration and signed forms by January 31st to reserve your spot
Balance – $2,500
First Payment – 50% – $1,250 by Feb 20
Final Payment – 50% – $1,250 by March 20
Note – Trip can always be paid in full before March 20; Add $1,000 for 100% single occupancy
Regular
$1000 deposit (non-refundable) along with completed registration and signed forms to reserve your spot
Balance – $2,680
First Payment – 50% – $1,340 by Feb 20
Final Payment – 50% – $1,340 by March 20
Note – Trip can always be paid in full before March 20; Add $1,000 for 100% single occupancy
Payment can be made by check, cash, Venmo or Paypal friends and family (avoids service fee).
Credit Card payments are possible, with an additional 3% service fee.
Retreat Cancellation Policy
- $1000 initial deposit is non-refundable
- If, for any reason, you need to cancel your participation in the retreat, 50% of registration (minus initial deposit) will be issued up to 90 days prior to retreat start date
- Cancellations made less than 90 days in advance will result in no refund to the registrant
- In the rare case of cancellation of trip by me (due to unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to, family emergency, natural disasters, political unrest, dangerous weather, significant currency fluctuations or low sign-ups) you will be fully refunded.
Please note that the cancellation policy is pretty strict, as I have to pay the retreats / resorts upfront and abide by their strict cancellation policies. Also, we will be traveling to India during the onset of ‘peak’ season when accommodations are in great demand, so it’s necessary to book well in advance, especially since the places we will be staying at are boutique and much smaller in scale than your average hotel / resort.
DETAILED TRIP ITINERARY
(NOVEMBER 1 – 15)
Coming Soon
IMPORTANT STUFF
Travel Insurance
It is highly recommended that participants purchase a comprehensive trip insurance that includes trip cancelation, international medical & emergency evacuation insurance – there are many companies to choose from including Travelex, World Nomads and InsureMyTrip that offer such coverages at a modest cost
Passport & Visa Requirements
A valid passport and visa are required for entry into India!
US Passport: If you don’t already have a passport please log onto www.travel.state.gov for more information. Please note that your passport MUST be good for six months after the completion of your trip.
Visa
You MUST have a valid tourist visa to travel to India and it is recommended to arrange for this sooner than later, because depending on your choice this process can take up to a month. However they also have an E-visa that can be got in a short amount of time.
Here is a link to the online portal
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
E-Visa
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Private Agencies
The following company is a private firm that will handle the whole procedure for you, there is an
additional charge, but this is absolutely the easiest way to proceed.
Travisa: https://www.travisa.com
For Orange County residents, there is a local company that handles visas
The Passport Pros – http://thepassportpros.com/visas/
Visa applications sent by mail generally are said to take about 7-9 business days to process from the date of receipt. However, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you are applying for a 6 month visa, please know your visa’s validity begins on the date of issue! Please plan accordingly. Tourist visas are available for 6 months, 5 or 10 years.
Vaccines
Alchemy Ayurveda does not offer medical advice. We recommend speaking to your primary care physician or a travel clinic in your area before deciding upon vaccines. For up-to-date information, you can consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov
INDIA!
Deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity.
Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa to the compelling craziness of big cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.
This mystical and beautiful continent with its allure of exotic cultures and traditions offers a diverse array of experiences. From the majestic landscapes of the snow-dusted Himalayas, geometric tea plantations, vast Camel-dotted deserts and the sun-washed beaches; to the tranquil temples, colourful festivals, crumbling fortresses, swarming spice bazaars and vibrant cities, India is an intoxicating cultural cocktail that has been known to capture the heart and elevate the soul.
Home to a billion and an half people, India is not for everyone! While it is getting more ‘westernized’, it can still be a challenge for many not used to this part of the world. It is exotic, colorful and deeply spiritual. It can also be chaotic – a crazy mix of sounds, smells, and sights. The best way to experience India is to be open minded and open-hearted. Be open to all the experiences and delight in the beauty, the warmth and the ancient mysticism of India and her people, and you will have the trip of your lifetime!
I hope you will join me on this spiritual sojourn.
Namaste,
Sandhiya
