sacred south journey and retreat

14th - 27th MARCH 2026

On this healing journey we will travel to some of Goa and Karnataka’s most beautiful and sacred sites whilst experiencing the nourishing and transformational power of yoga, Ayurveda, meditation and Hindu culture. We will have a personal and immersive experience of the region’s vibrant culture and religious practices whilst mindfully travelling as part of a small and nurtured group, allowing plenty of time for rest and a deeper connection with the places we stay and the people we meet.

Your journey starts in south Goa where we take two nights to connect and set our intentions on the gorgeous Talpona Beach before travelling across the luscious Western Ghats to the mystical ancient empire of Hampi where we have four days to immerse ourselves in the temples, history, culture and natural beauty of this sacred region. From Hampi we travel to the holy coastal town of Gokarna where we stay at a gorgeous yoga and Ayurveda Resort for three nights overlooking the white sands of Om Beach.

We end our trip with a four night mini-retreat in south Goa where we restore and rebalance with daily meditation, yoga, sound healing, energy workshops and holistic treatments. We stay on one of South Goa’s most charming and peaceful beaches.

The journey is open to all, no experience of yoga or meditation is needed, just an open heart! The journey is hosted by holistic therapist and energy worker Carrie Rossiter, yoga teacher and wellbeing coach Sunita Ganesha and other highly experienced local teachers.

cost and what's included

£2650 (flights not included)

Based on 2 people sharing - SS additional cost

All transport between destinations

13 breakfasts,  7 dinners and 7 lunches

Guided tours of Hampi

Daily Yoga & Meditation sessions in Hampi

Daily Yoga & Meditation at SwaSwara

Art and cookery classes at SwaSwara

4 day Yoga and Wellbeing Retreat, Goa

day by day  ITINERARY

DAY ONE TO SEVEN - GOA & HAMPI

On the morning of your arrival you will be met at Goa airport and transferred to the Peace Garden on tranquil Talpona Beach. This beautiful unspoilt beach will make the perfect place to rest and connect for 2 nights before we start our journey.

You will have the afternoon to enjoy the pool and the beach, have a treatment in the Ayurvedic spa or maybe just sit on your balcony with a good book. Late afternoon, Sunita will lead a grounding meditation and restorative yoga session in the sea view yoga space. Dinner will be under the stars at the nearby beachside Zest which serves delicious, healthy south Indian cuisine.

Day two will start with an hour of Hatha Yoga with Sunita before a day at leisure to enjoy the beach: perhaps walk to Patnem or Galgiabagh beach, or enjoy a boat ride up the river? Early evening Carrie will hold space for connecting and setting intentions as a group and also talk you through the coming days.

On the morning of day three we leave early for Hampi. Heading down the coast and then inland - crossing the lushious Western Ghats into Karnataka’s rural interior. We pass through jungle, waterfalls, nature reserves and remote village, reaching Hampi by late afternoon. Hampi is a powerful portal of transformational energy and has been recognised as a sacred sight for thousands of years. It’s boulder-strewn landscape is dotted with emerald rice paddies and ancient temples. Snaking through the heart of Hampi is the holy Tungabadra river. Here we spend four nights at an Eco retreat where we enjoy daily practices of either yoga, meditation, sound healing or energy work. We will mindfully visit several very powerful temples including the Ancient Virupaksha temple, the temple of Yellama Devi and the Hilltop Temple of Maha Lakshmi. Durning our temple visits we will take part in active Puja and Aarti ceremonies for a direct experience of the power of these ancient places of worship.

We will also have plenty of free time to discover the fascinating sites of Hampi (which was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a World Heritage Site), enjoy Ayurvedic massage, explore the hotels acres of Riverside wilderness (guided walks and birdwatching are on offer) or perhaps just watch the wildlife from your terrace or relax by the swimming pool. Carrie has a second home in Hampi within the Lamani community, allowing an inside experience of village life and the Lamani people’s unique culture. 

Our hotel - Hampi Boulders - is an eco resort located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra, it has a natural swimming pool, acres of grounds and will make a perfect platform to explore the rich culture, wildlife and history of Hampi.

Also included in your time at Hampi will be a sunset walk up Bala Hanuman Hill to meet the local Babaji for the evening Arti ceremony and witness the incredible views and energy of this sacred hill. We also enjoy a campfire and barbecue diner in the hotel grounds on our final night.

Meditation and yoga whilst at Hampi will be lead by enthusiastic local teacher Mahatesh. Temple visits will be guided by Carrie and Hampi’s only female guide, Laxmi Sen.

DAYS SEVEN TO NINE - OM BEACH, GOKARNA

From Hampi we will travel to the holy coastal town of Gokarna. Gokarna is believed to be the resting place of Lord Shiva’s soul and is a deeply revered pilgrimage sight for Hindus. Here we have three nights at the gorgeous Yoga and Ayurveda resort of SwaSwara, where we will enjoy daily yoga, treatments, pranayama and meditation sessions with highly experienced Indian teachers in a beautiful and tranquil setting overlooking Om beach. There are also daily art sessions for those looking to explore their creativity.

Our accommodation is set amongst 5 acres of lush gardens above the Arabian Sea. All food is fully satvic (Ayurvedically balanced) and delicious! There is a pool and an Ayurvedic spa where consultations and treatments are available with experienced doctors and therapists. Before your trip Carrie will give detailed information about the history and benefits of ayurveda and offer a consultation to allow you to know your Dosha type in advance.

You will have free time to join Carrie on a trip into Gokarna town and one evening we will enjoy dinner under the stars on nearby Om Beach.

DAYS TEN TO FOURTEEN - MINI RETREAT, GOA

We then travel three hours further up the coast to the charming Turtle Hill - a cluster of stylish boutique rooms on the hillside overlooking Patnem Beach. Here we take four nights to rest and relax at the end of our journey enjoying nourishing food and daily yoga, meditation and energy awareness sessions in our private Hilltop yoga shala. Sessions will take place twice a day in the morning and the late afternoon. Your teacher here will be Sunita who has over twenty years experience teaching yoga, pranayama and meditation.Her style is deeply intuitive and each class allows a deep and loving connection to self - whatever your experience level is.

You will have plenty to free time to explore the gorgeous beaches in this area, including the turtle nesting beach of Talpona where dolphin spotting and river trips are available. During your retreat you will have the option of also receiving daily treaments as additional cost. Choose from Ayurvedic massage, Reiki, reflexology, Akashic record reading and rebirthing sessions with our team of experienced therapists. Patnem Beach with its low key vibe and charming offering of cafes and restaurants is just a stones through from where we are staying. If you’re after a little action then Palolem beach is just a 15 minute walk over the headland - here you will find a colourful market and plenty of bars and restaurants.

At additional cost why not enjoy a trip through the Natravali nature reserve to the Eco spice farm where you will see a sustainable farm in action, learn about the healing properties of all the spices and enjoy a delicious organic lunch.

DAY FOURTEEN

We get you back to Goa’s airport in plenty of time for your return flights home. If you would like to extend you stay in Goa please enquire on booking.  

information & Booking

To book your space please contact
Carrie: 07940 542181 or carrie@thelotusretreat.com

LOTUS INDIA TOURS PROGRAMME

Undiscovered South India - 6th - 19th Nov 2025

Hidden Rajasthan - 9th - 22nd Feb 2026

Wonders of the South - 22nd February - 8th March 2026

Sacred South Journey and Retreat - 14th - 26th March 2026

Coast to Coast - 9th - 22nd Feb 2027

MEET YOUR TEACHERS

CARRIE ROSSITER

Carrie fell in love with India when she first visited as a backpacker aged 18. Since then has been exploring, studying and working in India and now lives there half the year. Carrie runs the Lotus Retreat shop and holistic centre in Oxfordshire and Lotus India Travels. She is an experienced holistic therapist and Reiki Master and is passionate about healing and creativity and finding ways to tap into and express your authentic self. She is a rebel and freedom seeker by nature and one her greatest loves is leading journeys through India. Her other passions are creative writing, divining, wild swimming, time in sacred places and good coffee.

Carrie is trained in Reiki, holistic massage, reflexology, marma massage and lymphatic drainage. she is blessed to be hosting this healing journey and Retreat with her friend Sunita Singh.

SUNITA SINGH

Sunita is a highly intuitive and experienced yoga teacher. She has been teaching yoga internationally for 25 years. She got her first break to teach yoga in Norway back in 1998 and has been teaching, learning and practicing ever since. For, as she always says, “I am always learning”.

Sunita’s approach to Yoga is therapeutic, looking at the body as a coherent whole, as each person is an accumulation of thoughts, emotions and feelings, due to various influences and beliefs in their lives - some of which are good and some that are not conducive to one’s well being at all. Freeing oneself from negative heavy energies is very important for the body and mind to grow and remain healthy and strong. 

And this is what she works with - the Energy Body. Using dynamic movements, deep breathing, asanas, stretches and static holds, Sunita teaches a blend of Hatha and Kundalini Movements which help in keeping the body fit and beautiful. In the last few years she has also incorporated Tai Chi and TCM exercises along with her Yoga.The classes are very energetic, therapeutic and bring about a very cleansing, dynamic feel and an overall improvement in the health and strength of the body.

“I believe Yoga is the Magickal Key for self-transformation and self-development and higher understanding,  with asanas and dynamic movement to keep our physical body healthy and strong, with meditation to develop mental strength and spiritual growth to create clarity and growth in our life, and make the desired changes that we are looking for.  And live in peace and harmony with ourselves and our world. 

Our positive attitude is essential to overcome limitations and is the essential quality to break free from negative patterns and programs, to help us be free and truly live in health and well being of body, mind and soul.”

Sunita