LEARNING JOURNEYS
Northern and Southern India – A Journey of Restoration
June 25 - July 7, 2025
Join Dr. Carol Dimopoulos, Learning Journeys CEO, published researcher, entrepreneurship professor and mindfulness expert to experience restoration, transformation and growth in Southern India. This spiritual journey is a discovery of you. Your true nature and purpose. Beginning in Delhi, you will have the opportunity to visit temples, the traditions of Old Delhi, visit the Gandhi Museum, shop at local markets and visit the crown jewel, The Taj Mahal.
Next, off the Southern India to immerse in the traditions and beauty of Kerala. Each day will be an engagement with different facets of spirituality and restoration that is an integral part of human life. You will have the opportunity to work on goal setting and life realignment based on your experiences. The program offers the opportunity to interact with locals but also brings cultural and new ways of experiencing life during an eight night stay at a renown Ayurvedic Center (located on the beach) in Kerala, the home of ancient healing tradition, including treatments. Join us and relax. All meals, hotels, visits, expert guides, transportation, entrance fees, domestic flights within India, consultation and all recommended treatments and are included.
Itinerary
14 Days / 13 Nights
June 25-July 7, 2025
Price per person sharing: $3,990 (+$840 single supplement)
June 25
Arrive in New Delhi (Midnight Flight)
Namaste & Welcome to India at New Delhi Airport. You will be met by the Representative in arrival lounge and transfer to hotel. ( Note- Ensure your international flights arrive in Delhi on June 25th).
India’s capital city, contemporary Delhi, is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast-spiraling skyscrapers, the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent. Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital New Delhi.
Check-in at your hotel which is a retreat of contemporary accommodation and warm hospitality. (Hotel check-in time is 1400 noon)
Overnight in Delhi (Meal: None)
June 26
Day Visit - Taj Mahal, the wonder of wonders!
After breakfast, take around 03 hours drive to Agra - the city of Agra, in terms of ambiance, is still associated with its Mughal period with the existence of monuments of that era. The Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is the sole reason that many people visit India!
Upon arrival, visit The Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) - a mausoleum, is an architectural marvel that combines elements from Mughal, Persian, and Indian architecture. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants.
Once Mark Twain said, “The world is split into two parts, those that have seen the Taj Mahal and those who have not”! Today is the day for you to be among the happy group who have seen one of the seven wonders of the world – a UNESCO monument as well. Spend some time at Taj complex and take memorable photographs with this beautiful marble monument.
Take a quick lunch before visiting famous 16th century monument called Agra Fort – again a UNESCO monument. This fortress of red sandstone encompasses the imperial city of the Mughal rulers.
Drive back to Delhi.
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Delhi (Meal: B, L, D)
June 27
Explore Delhi - Temple - Raj Ghat - Old Delhi Markets
Delhi is the city where the future and the past collide every day, there's something for everyone to live and explore with joy. Delhi offers both frantic and relaxing moments to visitors so be ready for that! Start the day with blessings of Lord Krishna and visit ISKCON Temple which was established in Delhi to encourage the practice of Bhakti Yoga or Krishna Consciousness. The temple is much more than a place of worship. In other words, it is the Vedic Cultural Centre for knowledge and learning.
Take a delight of “pure vegetarian” lunch at the restaurant which is in the temple complex and offers a unique ambience that resonates with the temple.
Post lunch is the time to visit Old Delhi which is a far cry from the brash metro and an exciting place to be lost in the ocean of people. Walk into narrow lanes markets which are laced with history at every turn you take and a switch to rickshaws for a ride will be a joyous immersion. Ride through buzzing spice market, cloth market, street food stalls, to the lively local life and lot more that you might never imagined in a capital city. Pay tribute to Mr. Gandhi at Raj Ghat which is the cremation sight of this great soul and visit Gandhi Museum.
Today’s dinner at Indian Specialty Restaurant. Delhi, being heart of North India and having dominating affluence from Punjabi lifestyle, your menu will be a genuine treat!
Overnight in Delhi (Meal: B, L, D)
June 28
Delhi - Kochi
After breakfast at hotel, transfer in time to airport for your flight to Kochi in South India.
Kochi (or Cochin) was a city of the world before the world was fully known! Later it became the principal harbour for Malabar coast’s spice trade and emerged as the main trade port for the Arabs, Europeans and Chinese who came here to buy pearls, pepper, silk, ginger and indigo. Kochi rulers invited people of various religions to settle here, including the Jews and the Christians who built places of worship and their own communities.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Later, take a panoramic tour of Kochi city and visit Chottanikkara Devi Temple, https://chottanikkarabhagavathy.org, believed to be 1500 years old temple – the goddess of power temple is known for curing mental illness and disorders due to evil spirits. It is believed that Chottanikkara Devi possesses supernatural powers and can cure any disease; for this reason, a lot of patients suffering from mental illnesses visit here. 'Guruthi Pooja' is an important ritual performed at the temple every evening to invoke Goddess Mahakali. (If witness the ritual, we will back late to the town by 2130 hours).
Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Kochi (Meal: B, L, D)
June 29
Kochi - Manaltheeram - the Malabar Coast
After early breakfast at hotel, drive to Manaltheeram Ayurveda Resort – your rejuvenating home for a week! Award-winning Manaltheeram ayurveda beach village is set on a stunning stretch of golden sand beach of Kerala and offers authentic Ayurveda treatments, Yoga and Meditation with Dosha-specific meals.
Enroute visit Amma’s Ashram, the small fishing village of Kollam has now become the source of “Insight & Inspiration” to the world. Amma – the mother of all, has established Amritapuri Ashram where thousands come every day for spiritual guidance, to unburden their sorrows, or simply to spend a few moments in ecstatic ambience. Amritapuri is the center of Spirituality, Inspiration, and Love for Humanity. Have lunch at local restaurant or Ashram Canteen.
After this divine engagement, continue the drive towards Manaltheeram. Upon arrival check-in. If we are here in time, we will meet the doctor to discuss about the therapies. We are booked here on 07 nights Ayurveda Panchkarma and Rasayana Package-1.
Dinner at the Resort.
Overnight in Manaltheeram (Meal: B, L, D)
June 30 - July 7
7 nights in Manaltheeram
All meals at Resort and take Ayurveda Rejuvenation Therapies as per package.
Overnight in Manaltheeram (Meal: B, L, D)
July 8
Fly Trivandrum - Delhi
Transfer in time to airport for flight to New Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to a hotel near to the airport.
Dinner at hotel. (Meal: B, D)
Later, transfer in time to airport for your flight back home
(mid-night or next day morning flights)
We look forward to welcoming you on another Learning Journeys experience!
Inclusions:
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13 Nights’ accommodation at following envisaged hotels:
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The Lalit New Delhi
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Eight Bastian
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Manaltheeram Beach Resort
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Meals
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35 Meals: 12 breakfast, 11 lunch and 12 dinner - as per the itinerary
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Transportation
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Transportation in very comfortable air-conditioned Tempo Traveller
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Economy Class Airfare Delhi – Cochin and Trivandrum – Delhi
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Guide, Sightseeing & Local Assistance
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English speaking local guide in Delhi.
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English speaking accompanying guide from Delhi for day tour to Agra.
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English speaking guide in Cochin and Amma’s Ashram in Kollam.
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All entrance fees to sites and monuments as per the itinerary.
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Cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi lanes
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Learning Journeys Representative for assistance at airport transfers.
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All currently applicable taxes, tolls, parking fees, fuel cost and service tax
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At Manaltheeram Beach Resort – Package includes:
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Daily Ayurveda Rejuvenation treatments
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Ayurveda vegetarian full board meal - based on individual Ayurveda diet menu
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Initial, daily, and final consultation by the doctor
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Free medicines during the treatment period
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PROGRAM COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
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International airfare and any Insurance and Medical Emergency
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Any gratuities and expense of personal nature like – tipping (to driver / guides/hotel staff), laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic & soft beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expense etc.
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Any services not mentioned in the inclusions