Lotus India Adventures

Lotus India Adventures is unlike other tour companies. We like to keep group sizes small,  we prefer "off the beaten track" destinations and choose mostly family run, boutique, and wherever possible, eco hotels. Specialising for the last ten years only in India travel - we aim to give you an authentic, 'hands-on' experience of India's extraordinary culture, spirituality, history and wildlife.  We like to keep our tours as relaxed as possible and aim to give you the sense of adventure, freedom and wonder you would experience as an independent traveler. Perhaps this is why most of our travellers have come back with us a second and third time.

Lotus travels and Retreats was established by Carrie in 2012. Carrie has been living, studying and working in India for many years. She creates and leads group and bespoke tours all over India with the support of her amazing team in India.

LOTUS INDIA TOURS PROGRAMME

Hidden Rajasthan 17th - 30th November 2026

Undiscovered South India 15th - 28th January 2027

Heart of India 28th February - 13th March 2027

Treasures of the South 5th - 18th November 2027

Sacred South Journey & Retreat 14th - 27th March 2028

information & Booking

To book your space please contact
Carrie on WhatsApp - 07940 542181
or carrie@thelotusretreat.com

Undiscovered South India

15th - 28th January 2027

Join us on a journey of a lifetime that traces India’s Western Ghats from Kerala to Goa. Experience the ancient spice markets of Forte Cochin and the luscious beauty of north Kerala’s backwaters. Stay on a coffee plantation in the remote Wayanad Highlands, wander amongst the ruins in the lost kingdom of Hampi and sleep just a stones throw from one of the Malabar coast’s most beautiful and tranquil beaches. Your tour starts in the colonial trading post of Fort Cochin. from here we travel by train up the Malabar coast to Kasaragod to witness Kerala’s most pristine backwaters and the enthralling Theyam Ritual whilst staying at the Stunning Neeleshwar Hermitage. From here we head inland to the Wayanad Highlands where we stay at on a coffee plantation in the heart of the Wayanad hills for three nights. We then head north, via Mysore, to the fascinating town of Hampi with it’s World Heritage monuments and magical boulder strewn landscape where we take three days to explore the ancient Vijayanagar kingdom’s temples before heading west to the Arabian Sea. Your journey ends in south Goa on the tranquil Agonda beach, an area famous for its nesting turtles and deserted palm fringed sands where we stay in charming cottages just yards from the sea.

This tour will be lead by holistic therapist and India enthusiast Carrie Rossiter and yoga teacher Hari Lambani. They also run the Lotus Retreat - a cafe, holistic centre and India boutique in Oxfordshire and Mamasita coffee shop in Stroud.

cost and what's included

£2650 (flights not included)

All transport between destinations.

13 breakfasts,  6 dinners and 7 lunches.

Guided tours of Hampi and Mysore.

Forest trek and temple visit in Wayanad.

Houseboat trip in Kerala.

(The price above is based on 2 people sharing - SS on enquiry)

day by day  ITINERARY

DAYS ONE & TWO - FORT COCHIN 

Our journey starts in the colonial town of Fort Cochin. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the gorgeous “Forte Kochi” hotel. This elegant hotel was once the home of a wealthy Jewish trader and has been lovingly restored into a divine heritage hotel right in the heart of the old town and just near the harbour with it’s landmark Chinese fishing nets. Our hotel allows us to literally live and breath the fascinating colonial history of the town. There is a pool, Ayurvedic spa, excellent Restaurant and bar and lovingly restored interiors.

The afternoon of day one will be time to rest. In the evening there is a guided walk through the old town and along the seafront, followed by dinner at the hotel. On the morning of day two, enjoy a heritage walk through Cochin’s old town. This leisurely tour will gives you a glimpse into Cochin’s rich heritage, showcasing the mixed Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences that make this coastal settlement so unique. You then have your day at leisure to further explore Cochin. Bikes can be hired and make an excellent way to see the spice market and the Jewish Quarter with it’s array of antique shops, galleries and cafes. Yoga and treatments can be arranged at the hotel..

DAY THREE & FOUR - NEELESHWAR HERMITAGE

Early morning we take the coastal train up the Malabar Coast to the remote region of Kasaragod on the coast of north Kerala.
Our accommodation will be the gorgeous Neeleshwar Hermitage, a yoga and Ayuveda retreat set amongst 5 acres of lush gardens on the Arabian Sea. Included in your stay will be daily yoga, and an Ayurvedic consultation with their resident doctor,

Neeleshwar will make the perfect place to spend two days rejuvinating and exploring this unspoilt region. You have free time on the afternoon of your arrival to enjoy the pool, have a treatment in the Ayurvedic spa or maybe just lie in a hammock with a good book. You will also have the opportunity to watch a village performance of the enthralling Theyam ritual for which this region is renowned - these secret shamanic festivals are often one of the highlights of the journey. Other activities on offer are cycling to the local villages, cookery classes and bird spotting.

The hotel has two restaurants, one located directly on the beach, both serving delicious, healthy Keralan cuisine. Yoga classes are held every morning before breakfast in the beachside shala.

On the afternoon of day four we head down the coast to the unspoilt backwaters of northern Kerala and enjoy an afternoon exploring this magical ecosystem on the deck of a traditional House Boat and watch the birdlife and riverside villages drift past. Indian chai and snacks will be served on board the boat.

DAYS FIVE & SIX - WAYANAD

Today we head east by minibus through the western Ghats to the beautiful highlands of Wayanad. This glorious, unspoilt region is dotted with spice, tea and coffee plantations, forested hills and nature reserves. After a stunning journey through the hills, we arrive at Tranquil Resort late afternoon. Tranquil is an eco homestay on a coffee plantation in the heart of the Wayanad forests with panoramic views and cozy wooden cottages, a pool and amazing Keralan food. The afternoon of our arrival we will enjoy a guided walk through our host’s estate: a chance to learn about the fascinating workings of the plantation including the growing of coffee, tea, banana and spices. After we will enjoy drinks and home-cooked Keralan dinner on the terrace.

Day four starts with a village walk where we discover the tribal community of the region, farming practices and the plentiful flaura and fauna of Wayanad. In the afternoon there is a chance to head to the Kanthanpara waterfalls - this secluded and little know spot gives us a chance to absorb the incredible natural beauty of this region. Or for those who enjoy trekking, you might choose to walk to the Eddakal Caves, a stunning walk to a hilltop where we find some of south india’s oldest cave paintings. Bird spotting walks can be arranged at Tranquil, and there are also many paths through the estate allowing you to enjoy the wildlife in your own time. Healing Ayurvedic treatments are also on offer in the hotels spa. Or perhaps just enjoy the pool or take time to sit on your veranda and soak in the abundance of wildlife, .

DAYS SEVEN TO TEN- MYSORE TO HAMPI

After breakfast on day seven, we leave Tranquil and travel east to Mysore in Karnataka. We have an afternoon to discover it’s fabulous palace and wander through it’s colourful markets famous for sandalwood, spices, flowers and spices. Early evening we board the Hampi Express night train and travel north (in the comfort of 2 tier AC) to Hari’s home town - the ancient kingdom of Hampi. This makes the perfect location to stop for three nights and take time to explore at leisure. Hampi - once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a World Heritage Site - is one of India’s highlights. Not only famous for it’s fascinating history (it was once the second most powerful kingdom in the world) - but also for its magical boulder strewn scenery. Our hotel - Hampi Boulders - is located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra, it has a natural swimming pool and is set in acres of riverside wilderness. This beautiful eco resort will make a perfect platform to explore the rich culture, wildlife and history of Hampi.

The day of our arrival is spent bird-spotting before you have the option of climbing to monkey temple to watch sunset and enjoy the panoramic views.
The following day we will cross the river and enjoy a guided tour of the Hampi’s main temples and monuments. We will have lunch with the banjara community (where hari grew up), a chance to see their crafts and traditional costume. Dinner will be at Top Secret river view restaurant. You final day in hampi is a day at leisure to explore the ancient town of Hampi and it’s beautiful surroundings by foot, bicycle or rickshaw. Visit the majestic Virupaksha Temple and Hampi Bazaar - a great place for a chai and a little retail therapy, wander the ancient ruins, or relax at the hotel. Ayurvedic treatments are also available at Lotus Ayuveda. We will have a campfire and barbecue diner in the hotel grounds on our final night in Hampi.

DAY ELEVEN TO FOURTEEN - AGONDA BEACH

We leave early morning on our eleventh day for Goa (journey time 6.5 hours). Today’s journey takes us back through the western ghats where we pass luscious jungle, waterfalls, nature reserves and remote villages. We reach Agonda beach in south Goa mid-afternoon where we check into the gorgeous beachside The Rose, a stylish boutique hotel with rooms overlooking the bay and a pool and bar. Take time at the end of your journey to relax on the beach where there are many excellent yoga shalas and restaurants. Or take a short rickshaw ride to the deserted and absolutely stunning Turtle Beach or Talpona Beach. If you’re after a little action then Palolem beach is just a 15 minute rickshaw ride over the headland - here you will find a colourful market and plenty of bars and restaurants.

For a small additional cost you can enjoy sunset dolphin boating trip, a day trip to swim at the Savri waterfall deep in the Natravali nature reserve or a day at the Spice Farm.

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.