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 travelers have come back with us a second time.
Lotus travels and Retreats was established by Carrie in 2012. Carrie has been living, studying and working in India for many years. She is also a holistic therapists and run’s The Lotus Retreat - a healing hub, shop and cafe in Oxfordshire. She creates and leads the tours along side Hari (who was is a yoga teacher and runs Mamasita’s in Stroud) and their amazing support team in India.

Current Tours

Undiscovered South India - 6th - 19th November 2025

Hidden Rajasthan - 9th - 22nd February 2026

Wonders of the South (Kerala to Goa) - 22nd February - 8th March 2026

Sacred Heart (Rajasthan and Madya Pradesh) - 6th - 19th November 2026

Coast to Coast (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) - 9th - 22nd February 2027

treasures of the south

Kerala to Goa

22nd february - 8th march 2026

Join us on a journey of a lifetime that takes you from Kerala, via the wonders of Hampi to the shores of south Goa. The first half of this 14 night adventure is spent in north Kerala where you will experience the romance of Fort Cochin - with it’s fascinating blend of Dutch, French and British colonial history; before exploring the verdant beauty of the backwaters during a day and night on a traditional houseboat. you then head to the stunning beaches of Neeleshwar before a stay on a coffee plantation in the remote Wayanad Highlands. A highlight of your journey will be 3 nights staying at an eco retreat in the fascinating ancient kingdom of Hampi. Your journey ends on one of Goa's most beautiful beaches, an area famous for its nesting turtles, yoga and deserted palm fringed sands where we stay in a stylish eco-resort just yards from the sea

cost and what's included

£2650/person (flights not included)

All transport between destinations

14 nights accommodation

Yoga and consultation in Neeleshwar.

Guided tours of Hampi monuments/village.

Guided tour of Forte Cochin

Mysore Palace visit

Coffee plantation tour in Wayanad

day by day  ITINERARY

DAYS ONE TO THREE- FORT COCHIN

On the day of your arrival in India you will be greeted at Cochin International Airport and transferred by minibus to coastal town of  Fort Cochin, where you check into the gorgeous “Forte Kochi”. This elegant, luxury hotel was once the home of a wealthy Jewish trader and has been lovingly restored into a 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 the fascinating colonial history of the town. There is a pool, Ayurvedic spa and elegantly restored interiors. Day one is a day at leisure to rest and acclimatise. We will stroll the seafront promenade and see the iconic fishing nets before a dinner in the hotel’s poolside restaurant.

Day 2 is time to explore this fascinating colonial town. Before breakfast we will Enjoy a heritage walk through Cochin’s old town. This leisurely tour provides a glimpse into Cochin’s historical importance as a spice trading town, and it’s fusion of Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences. You then have the rest of the day at leisure to further explore Cochin and enjoy the hotel. The hotel has bikes to rent - a fun way to see the spice markets and explore the old jewish quarter with it’s plethora of craft shops, galleries and cafes. Rickshaw’s can also be arranged.

DAYS THREE & FOUR - BACKWATERS OF KERALA

Today we will journey south to the lake-side village of Kumarakom in the lower lying backwaters of Kerala. At noon we board a traditional houseboat and spend the afternoon cruising through the serene waterways. Gorgeous traditional Keralan food is served onboard and there are cushioned seating decks where you can sit and read or simply watch the farmland and coconut forests drift by. This verdant area has a particularly rich ecosystem and is a paradise for birdlife.

We dock up before sunset, there is the opportunity for wild swimming before dinner. and spend the night aboard our boats before returning back to Kumarakom Lake Resort the following morning for a sumptuous breakfast.

DAYS FOUR AND FIVE - NEELESHWAR HERMITAGE

Day 4 we travel by train 6 hours north to Kasaragod along the unspoilt coast of north Kerala. Your accommodation will be the gorgeous Neeleshwar Hermitage, a yoga and Ayuveda retreat set amongst 5 acres of lush gardens on the Arabian Sea. You now have 2 nights to relax and rejuvinate. Included in your stay will be morning yoga, and an Ayurvedic consultation with the resident doctor. You will also have free time to enjoy the huge infinity pool, have a treatment in the Ayurvedic spa or maybe just lie in a hammock with a good book. Bicycles, birdwatching and cookery are also of offer. We hope to also have the opportunity to watch a village performance of the enthralling Theyam ritual - these shamanic ceremonies are a magical glimpse into the ancient traditions unique to this region.The hotel has 2 restaurants, one located directly on the beach, both serving delicious, healthy Keralan cuisine.

DAYS SIX AND SEVEN - WAYANAD

Today we head South east by air=conditioned minibus 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 Western Ghats, we arrive at the Tranquil Resort around lunch time. Tranquil is an eco homestay in the heart of the Wayanad forests with panoramic views and cozy cottages with balcony’s overlooking the nature reserve. After an afternoon’s nature trek through the coffee plantations we will enjoy home-cooked Keralan food and sundowners on the terrace.

Your host Ajay and his wife offer a warm and generous welcome and will show you around their coffee plantation and it’s fascinating workings. There are many signposted walks through the hotel’s 9 acre estate and there is the option of an afternoon jeep safari through the nearby Nagarahole national park or enjoy an afternoon bird spotting walk through the forest with your guide. You might want to receive some healing Ayurvedic treatments, or just take time to sit on your veranda and soak in the abundance of wildlife.

DAYS EIGHT TO ELEVEN- MYSORE TO HAMPI

Day eight we leave Wayanad and travel east to Mysore in the state of Karnataka where we have an afternoon to discover it’s fabulous palace. Early evening we board the Hampi Express night train and travel north (in the comfort of 2 tier AC) to 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 Vijayanagar 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 amongst a vast area of beautiful wilderness. This 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 the nearby monkey temple to watch sunset and enjoy the panoramic views and meet the resident babaji (holy man).

The following day we will cross the river and enjoy a guided tour of the Hampi’s main temples and monuments and have lunch in the Lamani village of Kaddirampur, we will enjoy a campfire and music before dinner at the hotel’s 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 and timeless Virupaksha Temple and Hampi Bazaar - a great place for a chai and a little retail therapy or relax at the hotel. Ayurvedic treatments are also available at Lotus Ayuveda.

DAYS TWELVE TO FIFTEEN - HAMPI TO GOA

Day twelve we catch the early Vasco De Gama Express Train back to North Goa (journey time seven hours). Experience the magic of the Indian Railways as you sit back with a chai and watch the forests and national parks of Karnataka roll past. We reach the Portuguese town of Madgoa early afternoon and from there it’s a one hour taxi ride to our final destination - Turtle Hill, Patnem Beach. The lovely beachside eco resort has stylish boutique rooms overlooking the bay and a lovely hill top cafe.

You now have 3 nights to take time at the end of your journey to rest and enjoy beach-life. There are many excellent cafes, restaurants and shops in the area and plenty of opportunities for yoga and massage. Take a short rickshaw ride to the tranquil turtle nesting beach, or 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.

Day 15 we will get you safely to Goa airport for your return flights home.