A SMALL GROUP YOGA RETREAT IN MYSORE, SOUTH INDIA WITH LINDA DOUGLAS 3 rd 11 th JULY 2016 & A TAMIL NADU JOURNEY 11 th - 18 th JULY 2016 The yoga retreat and the Tamil Nadu holiday extension is for individuals and couples. The maximum group size is 16 people 1
INTRODUCTION Ellison Roberts Tours and Linda Douglas have come together to present a summer yoga retreat in Mysore, India. The retreat can be followed by a short tour of Tamil Nadu or you can return to the UK. The retreat and the Tamil Nadu holiday extension is for individuals and couples. The group will comprise a maximum of 16 people. The Ellison Roberts travel company, established in 2001, provides fully bonded tailormade special interest tours to India and S E Asia. Linda Douglas is a qualified yoga teacher, having trained with Sri K Pattabhi Jois, from 2003. This trip is for both absolute beginners and advanced yoga practitioners as Linda will offer a range of yoga classes to suit your level. Linda has also trained in tai chi and is currently learning botanical illustration. In Mysore there will be an opportunity to practice tai chi and art in the gardens of the Green Hotel (the flora in India is vibrant and majestic). Linda is also a lecturer in social work and has an interest in humanitarian work and would be happy to facilitate contact with charities if this is within her remit. Mysore (or Mysuru), a city in India's Karnataka state, was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399-1947. In its center is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mysore Palace, former seat of the ruling Wodeyar dynasty. The palace blends Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and Rajput architectural styles, and is dramatically lit at night. Mysore is also home to the centuries-old Devaraja Market, filled with spices, premium silk and sandalwood. 2
YOGA WITH LINDA DOUGLAS ITINERARY (7 nights) 3 Jul 16 Depart from the UK airport of your choice (Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow/Gatwick, Manchester or Newcastle). Flights will be with Emirates or Etihad Airways via Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. (You are welcome to make your own flight arrangements if you prefer). 4 Jul 16 On arrival at Bangalore airport you will be greeted and garlanded by the Ellison Roberts representative and taken by A/C vehicle to Green Hotel, Mysore. More than 100 years old and originally named Chittaranjan Palace, this palace was used as the residence of Mysore s princesses. At check-in you will be greeted by Linda Douglas. The day is at leisure 5 10 Jul 16 Yoga with Linda Douglas, visits to local art and craft workshops and free time. Each morning a relaxing yoga class will be offered in the beautiful venue of the Green Hotel http://www.greenhotelindia.com/ You will learn safe gentle stretches that will waken the body mind and spirit. The school of yoga will be a gentle, mindful version of Ashtanga yoga. Mysore is famous for Ashtanga yoga as the founder Sri K Pattabhi Jois conducted classes in Mysore. In the mid afternoon you may wish to paint flowers in the gardens of the hotel or perhaps go on a trip In the late afternoon another yoga class/tai chi class will offer a more dynamic yoga style / flowing tai chi practice that will enable you to move gracefully and uplift the spirits. Learn simple meditation techniques with a focus on mindfulness and blissfulness The yoga and tai chi practices are simple and effortless to learn and therefore you can have a lifelong holiday every day when you return home 11 Jul 16 transfer to Bangalore airport for return flight to the UK Or Take the Tamil Nadu holiday extension tour. 3
A TAMIL NADU JOURNEY ITINERARY (7 nights) 11 Jul 16 Drive Mysore Dindigul [213 miles / 6.5 Hrs] On arrival, you will check in at your hotel The Lakeside Resort. Lakeside s location on Kamaraj Lake places it in an area of outstanding natural beauty, bordering the Palani Hills and Tamil Nadu plains. Here you have the opportunity to meet the local people and discover rural India from a comfortable guesthouse, run to high standards by its resident English owners. Situated beside the lake with cooling breezes all year round, with stunning lake and mountain views, direct access to the lake and an abundance of exotic bird life, Lakeside has something to offer everyone The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or pursue independent activities; Lakeside Resort 12 Jul 16 Excursion to Madurai [40 miles / 1.5 Hrs one way] On arrival, visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple - one of the grandest examples of Dravidian Temple architecture in all of Tamil Nadu. 4
Dedicated to Parvati, the temple is the geographic and ritual heart of Madurai and it is one of the largest temples in India. The ten gopurams entrance towers, dominate the landscape, the tallest at 52m was constructed around 1559 and the oldest was constructed around 1220. Each gopuram is covered with thousands of brightly painted stone figures. The aarti evening ceremony, is a spectacle and the emotions of the devotees run high. Later drive back to Dindigul [40 miles / 1.5 Hrs] Lakeside Resort 13 Jul 16 Breakfast will be at hotel, after breakfast your day is at leisure to relax or to pursue independent activities. A visit to the nearby village school can be arranged. 14 Jul 16 Drive Dindigul Tanjore [99 miles: 2.5 Hrs] Lakeside Resort On arrival in Tanjore, check in at hotel Svatma http://www.svatma.in/the-hotel.html Svatma is more than a highly individualistic travel destination. Designed by and for exacting individuals with Spirit - it is the epitome of Tamil culture and art evolved into a space-time capsule of mystique and allure. It is the indescribable romance of contemporary artists flirting with curated antiques and experimenting with ancient art forms in a space resonating with the chanting of Vedas. The affair of the mind, flitting between Carnatic Music and Chola Bronzes while witnessing traditional Bharatanayam in a amphitheatre pervaded by the aroma of traditional filter coffee! Svatma is a statement about the Self - a surrender to the abundant charms of Tamil Nadu - its arts, architecture, culinary heritage and culture. Hence, there are no standard rooms in this property, each is unique - 38 in all - seven in the Heritage building - built as an elite family residence over a hundred years ago, lovingly restored. At Svatma, the residency becomes a journey in itself - a voyage of discovery of the self - an ethereal immersion in the arts suspended in time. The evening will be at leisure Svatma 5
15 Jul 16 AM: this morning visit the Palace of Tanjore which stands near the Brihadeshwara temple. The Palace is a huge building that has been built through many decades. The Nayaks initiated the foundation and the primary work of construction around 1550 AD. The Marathas later completed the building during the reign of Peshwas, after visting the Palace you will visit the Royal Museum located in the Thanjavur Palace complex. The museum houses mixed collections of manuscripts, weapons, utensils, musical instruments and clothing that were used by the Royal Family of Thanjavur. Svatma 16 Jul 16 Drive Tanjore Pondicherry [103 miles: 04 Hrs] Pondicherry on the Coramandel Coast, south of Chennai, was under French rule for nearly 281 years and it still has the French flavor as one can see from the colonial Indo-French mansions, beautiful wide boulevards and promenades. Some of the impressive monuments, memorials and museums in Pondicherry are the 16 th century Aayimandapam, the French War Memorial, the Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion, the Bharathi Memorial Museum, the Statue of Dupleix, The Statue of Joan of Arc, the 19th century Lighthouse, the Place Du Government, the Jawahar Toy Museum, and the Pondicherry Museum and Library. On arrival at Pondicherry, check in at the hotel Maison Perumal. Maison Perumal is a tasteful blend of old world Tamil and French architectural styles. Verandas and sit out areas speak of the Tamil heritage while the arched windows and stylized colonnades reflect their French colonial ancestry. 6
The materials are typically local, with cool Cuduppah stone underfoot and teak furniture lending its special richness. The only sign of modernity is the airconditioner humming unobtrusively in the background. PM: is at leisure to relax or pursue independent activities Maison Perumal 17 Jul 16 AM: Half day sightseeing tour of Pondicherry visiting Auroville and the French Quarter; PM: is at leisure to relax or pursue independent activities; Maison Perumal 18 Jul 16 After breakfast in the morning drive to Chennai via Mahabalipuram [99 miles / 2.5 Hrs]. On arrival at Mahabalipuram, visit Shore Temple, Arjuna s Penance and Five Rathas; PM: Departure transfer to Chennai airport to connect with your flight home. 7
A TAMIL NADU JOURNEY Accommodation and meal plan Dates Nts City Hotel Room Category Meal 4 11 Jul 16 07 Mysore Green Hotel Standard Room BB 11-14 Jul 16 03 Dindigul Lakeside Resort Deluxe Room BB 14-16 Jul 16 02 Tanjore Tanjore Hi Deluxe Room BB 16-18 Jul 16 02 Pondicherry Maison Perumal Deluxe Room BB Prices: Yoga in Mysore based on two sharing 500 per person Single room supplement 235 A Tamil Nadu Journey based on two sharing 750 per person Single room supplement 300 International airfares *(subject to change) UK to Bangalore economy return UK to Bangalore with an economy return from Chennai 650 per person 695 per person Booking deadline 31 st May 2016 The price includes: 7 nights accommodation on double/single sharing basis at the hotels mentioned above or 14 nights accommodation on double/single sharing basis at the hotels mentioned above Meal plan as stated above [BB: Bed & Breakfast] Half day sightseeing in Madurai including evening aarti ceremony; Half day sightseeing tour of Tanjore; Half day sightseeing tour of Pondicherry; Visit to Mahabalipuram enroute Pondicherry Chennai; All transfers, sightseeing s & excursions will be by a chauffeur driven, air-conditioned vehicle All entrance fees, road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes and porterage at all airports; Services of a local English speaking guide for all sightseeing tours as per the itinerary; An Ellison Roberts representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers; All currently applicable taxes, including the Indian service tax of 3.09% applicable on the total invoice amount; 8
The price excludes: Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, where not included in the ticket price, etc. Meals other than those specified above Any insurance Any visa fees Any air-fare unless mentioned above Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion Special Notes: UK, US, EU and citizens of most other countries require a visa to visit India and you will require a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport from date of arrival. You are responsible for obtaining visas yourselves but we will of course provide any guidance or assistance you may require. For single entry visits of up to 30 days UK, US and some EU citizens can use the e-tv online visa on arrival system which has simplified the application process and reduced the cost. This scheme is currently available for entry at the following airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum & Varanasi. Exit can be from any airport/border post. Details can be found at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html Journey times are approximate and may vary considerably due to adverse traffic or road conditions and the number and duration of stops along the way Hotel check-in & check-out time is usually 1200 Hrs Prices especially air-fares are subject to revision In case of any currency fluctuations or amendments to local Government taxes, or any fuel price rises, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly For flight bookings, we will require your full names as shown in your passports The weather South India has only small seasonal variations in temperature and during July you can expect daytime temperatures in the mid 30s. The SW monsoon which is at its height in June and July does not affect Tamil Nadu which receives its rain in the NE monsoon in November. Food Superb vegetarian food is the norm and South Indian cuisine is not as fiery as that of the north. It is spicy and aromatic with a great reliance on cooling coconut. Cookery classes can be arranged. Medical You are not required to have any particular vaccinations for travel in S. India, however it is advisable to ask the advice of your medical practitioner. 9