South India Wellness

Your tour in South India begins in Mumbai, a modern megalopolis infused with the country’s ancient ways and eclectic personality. Mumbai houses the country’s largest production houses, stock exchanges, seaport and offices of some of the esteemed companies of the world. In this commercial capital, the streets pulse with activity and possibility.

This morning meet the members of the Laughter Club and enjoy a session with them. Repeated laughter during the session relaxes your mind and body, thus breaking the cycle of stress and fatigue. Later, sample the many flavors of Mumbai on a tour, including visits to the Prince of Wales Museum, iconic Marine Drive, the Dhobi Ghat, and the famed Victoria Terminus. You’ll also visit Elephanta Island, home to ancient cave temples famous for their magnificently sculpted panels.

Fly to Goa and then drive to Gokarna, an ancient village full of lore and a favorite haunt of Hindu pilgrims. It is also home to SwaSara, a renowned spa lying on 26 acres of rolling hills, gardens, coconut palms and green lawns. Within this spiritually enlightened environment are charming villas—inspired by the homesteads of the Uttara Kannada region of Karnataka—where you will stay.

The shouts of the modern world die down to whispers at SwaSwara, and you’ll find this out from the moment you arrive here. You’ll enjoy an exclusive yoga session early in the morning today. Created in ancient India, yoga’s ultimate aim is to create a balance between the body and the mind and to attain self-enlightenment. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the activities and treatments available here.

Head out for a trek on the beach. All four of the beaches here—Kudle, Om, Half Moon and Paradise —are accessible through short treks lasting between 20 minutes to an hour. Gokarna also offers a short trek to the hill known as Bungle Gudda. Once here, you can have the spectacular views of the town, the sea and the surrounding hills and forests. Enjoy lunch at the resort, and the rest of your day to relax or indulge in Ayurvedic treatments.

There are a number of optional activities at the resort which you can take advantage of today. For example,SwaSwara plays host to talented artists-in-residence who can share their talents with you, and even invite you to give expression to your own artistry. In addition, guests are invited to join in plucking vegetables and cooking them along with the culinary team in the resort’s interactive kitchen gallery.

As your South India wellness itinerary continues, embrace more of what makes this resort so magical. Walk down the pathway that meanders from the gardens at SwaSwara and feel the spray of the sea on your skin. Walk down the streets of Gokarna village, stopping to admire the adornments of elderly Gowda women. Follow a birdsong into the deep forests of Gokarna and soon, you could be skipping after a rare butterfly. These are some of the experiences that await you at SwaSwara.

Early this morning, enjoy an exclusive yoga session, and take the rest of the day to relax and unwind or enjoy one of the various optional activities.

Drive to Goa and then fly to Trivandrum, where you will be picked up and taken to Kovalam. Your destination here isSurya Samudra, a resort spread over lush green acres of landscaped tropical gardens overlooking pristine beaches in Kerala. The beaches are naturally secluded, keeping the bustle of the world outside at bay.

Relax and explore the wonderful spa facilities offered by the resort, including yoga, Ayurveda treatments, authentic Thai therapies and Chinese treatments like reflexology. Trained physicians and therapists explore the essence of time-honored disciplines to help you attain good health and a deeper sense of well – being.

Enjoy a tour of Trivandram, an ancient city, with trading traditions dating to 1,000 BC. It is a city rich in the arts and culture: the Swathi Thirunal College of Music is one of India’s premier schools of classical music, and the Sree Chithra Art Gallery displays most of the works of the illustrious artist Raja Ravi Varma. You can also see the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Napier Museum and more. Later, return to the spa and enjoy the facilities.

Your South India tour comes to an end today. Drive to Trivandrum to board your flight to Mumbai. You’ll be taken to your hotel upon arrival, where you can relax before catching your flight home.