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Rejuvenate this winter at an Ayurvedic Beach Resort in South India

The following are suggested itineraries which can be customized to suit your preferences.

Day 1 Arrive Bombay and transfer to Hotel Le Meridien

Day 2 Fly to Trivandrum on Jet Air 9W 334 (dep1030/arr 1230). Met on arrival and transferred to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort situated 21 kms outside Trivandrum. Built on top of a hill with 15 acres of lush greenery the resort has traditionally styled cottages, each one a unique piece of Kerala architecture. The Ayurvedic Clinic has 10 doctors and 60 therapists on staff offering over 28 different types of treatment including Pancha Karma Yoga. There is also an attached yoga and meditation center. Overnight in a deluxe Kerala cottage (B)

Day 3 to 9 Ayurveda Panchakarma treatment and enjoy the pristine beach and peaceful ambiance. Accommodation is in deluxe Kerala cottages and meals will be ayurvedic vegetarian food. (B,L,D)

There are two different Pancha Karma Programs Offered:

Rejuvenation Therapy
Day 1: Rejuvination Massage by two persons with oil and Thaila Dhara Ê
Day 2: Rejuvination Massage by two persons with oil and steam bath Ê
Day 3: Rejuvination Maasage by two persons with herbal cream and face pack Ê
Day 4: Rejuvination Massage by two persons with oil and Thaila Dhara Ê
Day 5: Rejuvination Massage by two persons with oil and steam bath
Day 6: Rejuvination Maasage by two persons with herbal cream and face pack
Day 7: Rejuvination Massage by two persons with oil and Thaila Dhara

Body Purification Therapy
Day 1: Rejuvination Massage, Nasyam and Snehapanam
Day 2: Rejuvination Massage, Nasyam and Snehapanam
Day 3: Rejuvination Massage, Nasyam and Snehapanam
Day 4: Sirovasthy, Thaila Dhara
Day 5: Thaila Dhara, Pizhichil
Day 6: Thaila Dhara, Pizhichil
Day 7: Thaila Dhara, Pizhichil

An initial evaluation and consulation by a doctor and special ayurvedic vegetarian food are included. The package does not include yoga or meditation classes which are offered at the resort both mornings and evenings for a nominal extra charge.

Day 10 Depart Trivandrum and take Indian Airlines flight IC 168 (1425/1855) to Delhi. Met on arrival and transferred to the Imperial.

Day 11 Full day tour of Old and New Delhi including the Bahai Temple, Quatb Minar, Red Fort, riksah ride thru Old Delhi Market. Room available until late night departure. Late Night Transfer to Airport

PRICE AYURVEDIC PACKAGE
For Two People: $1850 per person, dble occ
For Solo Traveler: $2525

Plus Airfares: Bom/Trv $205 Trv/Delhi $370

Includes:

accommodations in deluxe traditional Kerala house
daily breakfast, all meals at resort
all treatments at resort: massages, consulations with Ayurvedic doctor
airport transfers and land transport by private ac car
private guide for sightseeing in Delhi, monument & camera fees in Delhi
porterage

Optional Extension I : Taj Mahal & Varanasi
Day 11 Overnight at the Imperial Hotel

Day 12 Depart for Agra by the Shatabdi Express (0610/830a). Transfer to Hotel Taj View, Taj-facing rooms. Agra at one time served as the capital city for the great Mughal Empire, and it is the repository of some of their finest architectural creations. The Agra Fort reveals the Mughal talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. This fort palace was begun by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel and was subsequently completed by two successive generations who added the delicate mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the history of Mughal life in Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is described as "A tear on the face of eternity" by the poet laureate Tagore and is an enduring monument to love. Built by a grieving Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal built of glistening marble, fabulously decorated in a mosaic of semi precious stones, is a stunning mausoleum.

Day 13 Varanasi Optional sunrise visit to Taj Mahal. Transfer to the airport for Indian Airlines flight CD 7407 (1425/1625 - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) to Varanasi. Met and transferred to the Taj Ganges.

Day 14 Varanasi A visit to Varanasi reveals the spiritual heart of India, and the best way to experience this is to tour the Ganges in a country boat at sunrise. Pilgrims, yogis and mystics flock to the ghats (steps) which lie along the banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India's holiest river, practice yoga, meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes and vessels. Early morning life in this city revolves around the ghats. A contemporary of Nineveh and Thebes, Varanasi today, is the oldest living city in the world. One of India's most sacred cities, a devout Hindu believes to die and be cremated in Varanasi is to gain "moksha" or release from the eternal cycle of rebirth. The visit to the old city is a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism. Every temple is well attended and every street corner has roadside shrines and vendors selling garlands, incense sticks and other items used in worship. We walk through the narrow alleys where we share space with cows, scooters, cycle rickshaws, shops and people to the banks of the Ganges visiting the temples and being able to watch the rituals of Hindu worship. In the afternoon you drive to Sarnath where the Buddha gave his first sermon in 500 BC. You tour the archeological park and the Dhamekh Stupa which marks the very spot he spoke. Later you visit the temple, the walls decorated by murals tracing the important events in the life of the Buddha. You will be in time to join the evening chanting by the monks. Overnight at the Taj Ganges.

Day 15 Varanasi/Delhi/home Fly 9w724 dep 1440, arr 1600. Transfer to Radisson Hotel (by the airport) for wash/change/dinner. Late night transfer to international airport for flight home.

PRICE
For Two People: $675 per person
For Solo Traveler: $975

Plus Airfares: Agra/Vns $115, Vns/Delhi $135 Total

Optional Extension II: South India
Day 10 Drive to Kollam and take a backwater cruise/Houseboat (B,L,D)

Day 11 Disembark at Changanaserri and drive to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary/Taj Garden Retreat

Day 12 Early morning wildlife viewing by boat. Afternoon nature walk with park naturalist/Taj Garden (B)

Day 13 Drive to Cochin. Evening Kathakali/Taj Malabar (B)

Day 14 Morning visit to Mattancherri Palace, Jewish Synagogue and St Francis Church. Afternoon visit to see Chinese Fishing nets at sunset when fisherman bring in their catch and there is a local auction on the beach/Taj Malabar

Day 15 Fly to Mumbai 9W 406 (0830/1015) Afternoon city tour. Late evening departure for international airport/Le Meridien (B)

PRICE
For Two People: $965 per person
For Solo Traveler: $1850

Plus Airfares: Bom/Trv $205, Cok/Bom $160

NOTES:
Hotels listed are five star. If you would like a lower category for the extensions, please request.

The price of the ayurvedic package is based on deluxe Kerala House. The resort is situated on a hill overlooking the ocean. The massage center, restaurant, administration office and all activities are at the top, with accommodations tucked in private corners off the paths on tiered levels below. At the very bottom, beach level, there are a very limited number of basic one room beach cottages available. The price for these are slightly less than the deluxe houses. Request price if interested when you set your dates.

All prices subject to change.

For more information on the science and practice of ayurveda, click here.

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941