Goa, Kerala & Ashram Life: A Journey Through the Living Traditions of South India

December 3 – December 14, 2026

From Ocean Shores to Ashram Silence

A journey through the relaxed coastline of Goa, the cultural richness of Kerala, traditional yogic living, and the restorative wisdom of Ayurveda.

A Different Way to Experience India

Some journeys are about seeing places. Others are about experiencing them.

This small-group journey through South India is designed for those who wish to travel with greater awareness, moving beyond tourism into a deeper encounter with culture, nature, and traditional ways of living.

We begin on the shores of Goa, where the rhythm of the ocean invites us to slow down and arrive fully. From there, we continue into Kerala, a region known for its waterways, spices, temples, and long-standing traditions of healing and hospitality.

The heart of the journey unfolds at the Sivananda Ashram in Trivandrum, where yoga is experienced not as a fitness practice, but as a complete way of life rooted in simplicity, discipline, meditation, and self-inquiry.

The final days are dedicated to Ayurveda and integration by the sea, allowing space for rest, reflection, and renewal before returning home.

This experience is ideal for those seeking meaningful travel, authentic cultural encounters, yoga and meditation, and a more conscious way of exploring India.

Retreat Highlights

✔️ Experience the relaxed coastal atmosphere of Goa

✔️ Explore the temples, spice markets, and cultural heritage of Kochi

✔️ Traditional houseboat journey through Kerala's famous backwaters

✔️ Learn the secrets of South Indian cuisine in a hands-on cooking class

✔️ Three nights at the renowned Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram

✔️ Daily yoga, meditation, chanting, and satsang

✔️ Discover yoga as a traditional path of awareness and presence

✔️ Personalized Ayurveda consultation and treatments

✔️ Relax by the ocean in a peaceful Ayurvedic resort

✔️ Small-group experience with personal guidance and support

Itinerary

📍 Day 1 – Goa | Arrival & Ocean Welcome

Arrival in Goa and transfer to the hotel. After the journey, there is time to settle in, rest, and reconnect with the body. In the evening, we gather by the ocean for a gentle introduction to the experience as the sun sets over the Arabian Sea.

📍 Day 2 – Goa | Slow Living by the Sea

Morning yoga practice followed by a relaxed day enjoying Goa's beaches and coastal atmosphere. Optional exploration of local cafés, quiet villages, and Portuguese-influenced neighborhoods. A day dedicated to slowing down and finding a different rhythm.

📍 Day 3 – Goa | Culture & Freedom

A spacious day to experience Goa in your own way. Explore local markets, visit temples, spend time by the ocean, or simply enjoy moments of rest. The focus is on presence rather than activity, allowing the journey to unfold naturally.

📍 Day 4 – Goa → Kochi | Culture & Heritage

Flight to Kochi and introduction to Kerala's rich cultural landscape. Visits to local temples, spice markets, and historic neighborhoods reveal the many influences that have shaped this coastal trading city over centuries.

📍 Day 5 – Kerala Backwaters | Water & Stillness

A traditional houseboat journey through the Kerala backwaters. Glide through palm-lined canals, witness village life along the waterways, and experience one of South India's most iconic landscapes. A day of simplicity, beauty, and slow travel.

📍 Day 6 – Kochi | Cooking & Local Life

Morning yoga followed by a South Indian cooking experience. Discover traditional ingredients, spices, and regional flavors while gaining insight into Kerala's culinary culture. Free time in the afternoon for exploration or relaxation.

📍 Day 7 – Kochi → Trivandrum | Entering Ashram Life

Scenic train journey through Kerala to Trivandrum. Arrival at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and introduction to the daily rhythm of ashram life. Evening satsang and chanting offer a first taste of this traditional yogic environment.

📍 Day 8 – Ashram Life | Simplicity & Practice

A full day immersed in the traditional ashram schedule. Yoga asana, meditation, chanting, spiritual teachings, and karma yoga create a framework for inner clarity and conscious living.

📍 Day 9 – Ashram Life | Awareness & Integration

A second day within the ashram environment allows for deeper immersion. Away from the distractions of everyday life, there is space for observation, reflection, and a more direct experience of yogic living.

📍 Day 10 – Ashram → Ayurveda Resort | Healing by the Sea

Transfer to a peaceful Ayurvedic resort overlooking the ocean. Following a personal consultation, treatments begin according to individual needs. The remainder of the day is dedicated to rest and gentle restoration.

📍 Day 11 – Ayurveda & Ocean Time

A full day devoted to Ayurveda, relaxation, and integration. Treatments, nourishing meals, ocean walks, and quiet moments create an ideal environment for rejuvenation and balance.

📍 Day 12 – Departure

Early morning transfer to Trivandrum International Airport for onward travel.

Daily Rhythm (Indicative)

☀️ 6:30 – 8:00 AM: Yoga, meditation, or morning practice

🍽 Breakfast

🏞 Cultural visits, nature experiences, travel, workshops, or free exploration

🍽 Lunch

🌿 Rest, reflection, Ayurveda, or personal time

🌙 Dinner and optional evening meditation or sharing circle

What's Included

✅ Accommodation in carefully selected hotels, ashram, and Ayurvedic resort

✅ Daily yoga and meditation sessions

✅ All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners

✅ Internal flight from Goa to Kochi

✅ Train journey from Kochi to Trivandrum

✅ All internal transfers during the program

✅ Houseboat experience in the Kerala backwaters

✅ South Indian cooking class

✅ Ayurveda consultation and treatments included in the resort program

✅ Drinking water throughout the journey

✅ Airport transfers according to group schedule

What's Not Included

❌ International flights

❌ Indian visa fees

❌ Travel and medical insurance

❌ Personal expenses, shopping, laundry, and gratuities

❌ Additional Ayurvedic treatments not included in the resort package

❌ Optional activities not specifically mentioned as included

❌ Expenses arising from flight delays, cancellations, or travel disruptions

Why Join This Journey?

South India offers a unique blend of beauty, depth, and gentleness.

This journey invites you to experience that richness through multiple dimensions: the freedom of the ocean, the cultural heritage of Kerala, the discipline of ashram life, and the healing traditions of Ayurveda.

Rather than rushing from place to place, we travel at a pace that allows genuine connection—with the culture, with fellow travelers, and with ourselves.

Through yoga, meditation, meaningful encounters, and conscious travel, this experience offers a different way of being in the world—one rooted in presence, curiosity, and simplicity.

Meet Your Guides

🧘‍♀️ Lucrezia (@lucrezia_montrone)

An experienced yoga teacher guiding with sensitivity, presence, and heart. Her teaching is rooted in awareness, gentleness, and inner exploration.

🧘‍♂️ Mayank

With years of experience leading retreats across India, Mayank’s work is rooted in yogic tradition, spiritual inquiry, and deep cultural understanding. His calm presence and grounded guidance create a safe and transformative space for every participant.

Reserve Your Spot!

📩 Contact us to receive the complete brochure and discover whether this journey is right for you.

Group size is intentionally limited to ensure a personal, meaningful, and well-supported experience.