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.
Hari and carrie who lead the journeys have been living, studying and working in India for many years. They are holistic therapists and also run The Lotus Retreat - a yoga centre and India boutique in Oxfordshire.

Current Tours

Lakes and palaces (Hidden Rajasthan) - 13th November - 26th November 2024

Treasures of the South (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) - 7th February - 19th February 2025

Undiscovered South India - 22nd February - 7th March 2025

Undiscovered South India - 6th November - 19th November 2025

Hidden Rajasthan - 3rd February - 16th February 2026

Sacred Heart - 6th November - 19th November 2026

Undiscovered South India

22ND FEBRUARY - 7TH MARCH 2025

6th November - 19th november 2025

Join us on a journey of a lifetime that traces India’s Western Ghats from Kerala to Goa. Experience the luscious beauty of north Kerala’s backwaters, stay in a Jungle Retreat 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 north Kerala where we spend two nights on the coast experiencing Kerala’s most pristine backwaters and the enthralling Theyam Ritual - staying at the Stunning Neeleshwar Hermitage, before heading inland to the Wayanad Highlands. Here we stay at an eco homestay in the heart of the Kalpetta jungle for two nights then head north, via Mysore, to the fascinating town of Hampi with it’s World Heritage monuments and magical boulder strewn landscape. Here 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 Colomb Bay, 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 holistic centre and India boutique in Oxfordshire.

cost and what's included

£2395 (flights not included)

All transport between destinations.

13 breakfasts,  6 dinners and 7 lunches.

Guided tours of Hampi and Badami.

Jungle trek and campfire picnic in Wayanad.

Houseboat trip in Kerala.

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

day by day  ITINERARY

DAY ONE & TWO - NEELESHWAR HERMITAGE
Early morning you will be greeted at Mangalore Airport by Hari and carrie and transferred by minibus to Neeleshwar Hermitage.
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, an Ayuvedic consultation with their resident doctor,

Neeleshwar will make the perfect start to your trip. You will also have plenty of free time to enjoy the huge infinity pool, have a treatment in the Ayuvedic 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, go cycling to the local villages, or enjoy cookery and bird spotting. The hotel has 2 restaurants, one located directly on the beach, both serving delicious, healthy Keralan cuisine.

DAY THREE - THOTTADA BEACH

After a fabulous breakfast on the beach and time to swim or enjoy yoga, 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. We then head further down the coast to Chera Rocks - a charming guesthouse located on a very remote stretch of Thottada beach. Dinner will be served on the sand beneath the palm trees - expect a fabulous home-cooked Keralan feast, including freshly caught barbecued fish.

DAYS FOUR & FIVE - TRANQUIL RESORT, WAYANAD
Today we head east by minibus for 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, with a tea plantation walk en-route - we arrive at the Tranquil Resort around lunch time. Tranquil is an eco eco homestay in the heart of the Wayanad forests with panoramic views and cozy wooden 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 on the terrace or enjoy the beautiful pool and Ayurvedic spa.

Day five starts with a jungle trek with our hosts through the hotel’s 9 acre estate. Afternoon is at leisure - there is the option of an afternoon jeep safari through the nearby Nagarahole national park (at a supplement of £20) or enjoy an afternoon bird spotting walk through the forest with your guide. For those of you interested in India’s spiritual culture - you might want to enjoy some yoga with Hari or receive some healing Ayurvedic treatments. Or just take time to sit on your veranda and soak in the abundance of wildlife.

DAYS SIX TO NINE - HAMPI
We leave the Jungle Retreat and travel east to Mysore and Karnataka where we have an afternoon to discover it’s fabulous palace and wander through it’s markets famous for sandalwood, spices and silk. 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, acres of grounds and morning yoga. 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. 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.

DAYS TEN TO THIRTEEN - HAMPI TO GOA
We leave late morning on our tenth day for Badami - our stopping point for Goa. Badami is famous for its ancient beautifully carved cave temples and 7th century water tank, there will also be opportunity to see the nearby 7th century Pattadakal temple complex. Our accommodation here is the simple Badami Heritage hotel.

Early the following morning we head for our final destination in south Goa. Today’s journey takes us back through the western ghats where we pass luscious jungle, waterfalls, nature reserves and remote villages. We reach Patnem beach in south Goa mid-afternoon where we check into the gorgeous beachside Casa Jali. A stylish boutique hotel with rooms overlooking the bay and a lovey fusion cafe. Take time at the end of your journey to relax on Patnem 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 walk over the headland - here you will find a colourful market and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Included in your time in Goa is sunset Dolphin spotting boat trip and for a small additional cost you can enjoy a day trip to swim at the Savri waterfall deep in the Natravali nature reserve.

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.