Shakti

The Inner Wisdom Journey

14-Day Yoga & Self-Exploration Retreat · Kerala, South India

9–22 January 2027 · 13 nights · Small group, maximum 12

Route: Kochi · Guruvayur · Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey backwaters · Kovalam

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A welcome from Nivriti

This January, I am taking a small, intimate group on a 14-day journey through Kerala: India’s southernmost gem and the living birthplace of Ayurveda. We will move through temple towns, mist-wrapped tea hills, spice-scented forests, the legendary backwaters and the Arabian Sea coast. Through all of it, we will practise wellness through yoga and Ayurveda.

Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences, two branches of the same ancient wisdom. Yoga works from the inside out, through breath, movement and stillness. Ayurveda works from the outside in, through food, touch, rhythm and the intelligence of nature.

I have been practising and teaching for 25 years, and I have guided groups through India many times. Every time, without exception, people return home carrying something they did not arrive with.

This retreat is open to all levels, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. If something in you is already leaning toward a yes, I would love to speak with you.

Warm regards, Nivriti Gargya, Founder, Mystique Moksha

Kerala - God’s Own Country

Kerala is the heartland of Ayurveda — the world's oldest living medical system. Its temples, forests, waterways, and spice trails carry a vitality unlike anywhere else in India.

Our journey covers the full sweep of Kerala's sacred geography — from the colonial heritage of Fort Kochi to the high-altitude tea gardens of Munnar, the wildlife forests of Thekkady, a five-night Ayurvedic immersion, and the legendary backwaters of Alleppey. Every environment is different. Every environment offers something different to the person willing to be present in it.

Shakti is the animating energy of life itself — the force behind every breath, every heartbeat, every moment of genuine aliveness. Kerala carries it in its medicine, its temples, its soil, and its daily rhythm. This retreat is an invitation to remember your own.

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Day-by-day itinerary

At a glance: Kochi 3 nights · Munnar 2 · Thekkady 2 · Alleppey houseboat 1 · Kovalam 5 = 13 nights

DAY 1 · Saturday 9 January

Kochi — Arrive & Settle

On arrival at Cochin International Airport (COK), you will be met by our representative and transferred to our heritage boutique hotel in Kochi. The afternoon is free to rest after the journey.

In the evening we gather for our welcome dinner. We meet each other, set our intentions, and begin to slow down.

Overnight – Kochi

DAY 2 · Sunday 10 January

Guruvayur — The Temple Town

After morning practice and breakfast, travel to Guruvayur, one of Kerala’s most revered pilgrimage towns. Visit the Sree Krishna Temple, known as the “Dwarka of the South,” and explore its beautiful outer precincts.

Nearby, discover Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary and the historic Palayur Church, followed by a peaceful visit to Chavakkad Beach. We also visit a Devi temple for a priest-guided puja, subject to the temple calendar.

Overnight – Kochi

DAY 3 · Monday 11 January

Kochi — Spice, Story & Kathakali

Morning practice, followed by a guided tour of old Kochi, visiting St Francis Church, the Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace. Enjoy a home-hosted Kerala cooking demonstration and lunch with a local family. In the evening, experience a traditional Kathakali performance, with the opportunity to watch the artists’ elaborate make-up ritual beforehand.

Overnight – Kochi

DAY 4 · Tuesday 12 January

Kochi to Munnar — Ascent into the Hills

We drive up into the Western Ghats (about 4½ hours), stopping at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls on the way. The air cools as the road climbs to Munnar, 1,600 metres above sea level, surrounded by tea gardens as far as the eye can see. The rest of the day is free to rest.

Overnight – Munnar

DAY 5 · Wednesday 13 January

Munnar — Tea Gardens & High Country

Morning yoga in the hills, then a day in the high country. We visit Eravikulam National Park, home of the rare Nilgiri tahr, and walk through the tea plantations to learn how Munnar’s teas are grown. We continue to the tranquil Mattupetty Dam and the local plant nursery. The rest of the day is unhurried.

Overnight – Munnar

DAY 6 · Thursday 14 January

Munnar to Thekkady — Forest & Spice

We descend through spice and cardamom country to Thekkady (about 4 hours), on the edge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. In the evening we watch a Kalaripayattu demonstration. Kerala’s ancient martial art is often called the somatic ancestor of yoga, and seeing it up close changes how you understand your own practice.

Overnight – Thekkady

DAY 7 · Friday 15 January

Thekkady — Periyar & the Spice Trails

We spend the day in Periyar National Park, home to elephants, Indian bison, sambar deer and the rare lion-tailed macaque. A boat ride on Periyar Lake takes us into the heart of the reserve. The spice plantations around Kumily grow cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and clove as they have for centuries.

Optional activities such as bamboo rafting, guided nature walks and jeep safaris can be arranged at your own cost.

Overnight – Thekkady

DAY 8 · Saturday 16 January

Alleppey — Surrender to the Water

We drive down to Alleppey (about 4 hours), the “Venice of the East”, and board a traditional Kettuvallam, a hand-built Kerala rice barge. We spend the afternoon and night drifting through palm-lined canals and still water, glimpsing village life from the deck, with freshly cooked Kerala meals served on board.

Overnight – Houseboat, Alleppey backwaters

DAY 9 · Sunday 17 January

Amritapuri to Kovalam — Toward the Sea

Yoga on the deck at dawn, then we drive south to Kollam (about 2½ hours) to visit the Amritanandamayi Ashram, home of Amma, the “Hugging Saint” (subject to the ashram’s permission on the day). We continue to Kovalam on the Arabian Sea coast (about 2 hours) and settle into our wellness retreat.

Overnight – Kovalam

DAYS 10–13 · Monday 18 – Thursday 21 January

Kovalam — Ayurveda & Renewal

Five nights by the sea to slow down, reconnect, and simply be. Enjoy morning practices, free time to relax, beach walks, and optional Ayurvedic treatments.

End the journey with a closing circle, reflection, and farewell dinner.

Overnight – Kovalam (5 nights)

DAY 14 · Friday 22 January

Departure

After breakfast, we transfer to Trivandrum International Airport (about 45 minutes) for flights home. After 14 days in Kerala, it is always a different kind of journey from the one you arrived on.

About three weeks after you return, we meet once more online for an integration session.

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What past retreat guests say

“

My overall experience on the retreat was wonderful. We saw so much and the local guides really gave great insights... Nivriti was great as our tour leader, she looked after us all with care and love and made sure that we had the best experience possible... I highly recommend Mystique Moksha Retreat to everyone.

— Past retreat guest, North India

Retreat Details

Date: 9–22 January 2027 · 14 days / 13 nights

Itinerary:
Kochi · Guruvayur · Munnar · Thekkady · Alleppey backwaters · Kollam · Kovalam

Flights:
Arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK); depart from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV). Book a multi-city ticket into Kochi and out of Trivandrum.

Group size:
Minimum 7, maximum 12 participants

Deposit:
AUD 1,000 per person secures your place (non-refundable). Monthly payment plans are available; please ask when booking.

Deposit

N.B: Deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE

A deposit of

$1,000

per person is to be paid with the booking form

We will confirm your booking only once this payment has been made

All payments should be made payable to Yoga by Mystique Moksha Direct deposit

Cancellations & Refunds:
• More than 90 days before departure: full refund of all payments except the AUD $1,000 deposit.
• 60–90 days before departure: 50% refund of all payments received beyond the deposit.
• Less than 60 days before departure: no refund. Travel insurance should cover this scenario.
• If Mystique Moksha cancels due to insufficient numbers: all payments including the deposit are refunded in full.

Cancellation by Mystique Moksha Yoga: We reserve the right to cancel the tour at any time. In which case the amount paid will be fully refunded.

Submit Your Inquiry

Direct deposit
Account – Yoga by Mystique Moksha
Bank – ANZ Bank
Account Number – 156942192
BSB 012403
Reference – “Your first name + MMKERALA2026” (e.g. NIVRITIMMKERALA2026).

For more information or to book your spot contact us at:
The Mystique Moksha Team
Phone: 0401 376 141
Email: help@mystiquemoksha.com.au

What’s Included:

13 nights twin-share accommodation in boutique properties, including one night on a traditional houseboat
Daily yoga, pranayama and meditation with Nivriti, plus kirtan and cultural stories
One inner wellness workshop
Complimentary one-on-one pranic healing sessions, on request
Breakfast daily, a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner
Cooking demonstration with a local family in Kochi, followed by lunch
Kathakali performance in Kochi (backstage make-up viewing when the theatre allows)
Kalaripayattu martial arts demonstration in Thekkady
Day trip to Guruvayur: temple precincts, the elephant sanctuary, Palayur Church and Chavakkad Beach
Devi temple visit with a priest-guided puja (day subject to temple calendars)
Guided city tour of Kochi and sightseeing in Munnar, including Eravikulam National Park
Boat ride on Periyar Lake, Periyar Tiger Reserve
One-night Alleppey houseboat cruise with all meals on board
Visit to the Amritanandamayi Ashram, Kollam (subject to the ashram’s permission)
Five nights at a seaside wellness retreat in Kovalam
All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle, not shared with other groups
Airport arrival and departure assistance
English-speaking local guides for the Guruvayur, Kochi and Munnar sightseeing days
Bottled water during transfers and sightseeing
Two online pre-retreat orientation sessions (4–6 weeks before departure)
One online integration session (about 3 weeks after return)

What’s Excluded:

International flights (into Kochi, COK; out of Trivandrum, TRV)
Travel insurance, which is compulsory: comprehensive cover including medical evacuation must be in place before booking
Indian e-Visa, required for all Australian passport holders and straightforward to obtain online
Ayurvedic treatments and treatment plans at the Kovalam retreat, available to book and pay for directly at the venue
Lunches and dinners other than those listed above
Entrance fees to monuments and sites
Optional activities in Thekkady, such as bamboo rafting, nature walks and jeep safaris
Personal expenses: laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenirs and tips for drivers and guides

Health & Insurance: It is compulsory for all travellers to be in good physical and mental health. You must be able to carry your own luggage. It is also a condition of the tour that each passenger obtains an appropriate standard of travel insurance which covers him/her for the duration of the tour, in case of the following: medical emergency, illness, death, loss of baggage or other personal items, cancellations and/or curtailment of the journey. Your doctor must be consulted prior to departure to ensure that you have the correct vaccinations.

Possible Changes or Delays: A number of factors may affect our planned itinerary. While we make every effort to operate according to plan, Mystique Moksha Yoga reserves the right to alter the itinerary at short notice in the interests of the traveller, the local people, or the environment. All photographs and descriptions used in the itinerary are guides only.

Your Responsibilities: When booking with Mystique Moksha Yoga, I am aware that the proposed tour, in addition to the usual inherent dangers and risks, may have certain additional dangers and risks. These may include physical exertion, weather extremes and remoteness from normal medical and emergency services. I acknowledge that the enjoyment, excitement, and personal development potential (being the reasons for my participation) are derived in part from its inherent risks. I accept all the risks of the proposed tour and the possibility of personal injury, illness, death, property damage or loss resulting from my participation. If any of these do occur, I agree that the tour guides may on my behalf and at my cost make necessary arrangements that they consider appropriate. I also agree that Mystique Moksha Yoga is not liable for any such occurrence.

For Terms & Conditions please click here.

We would be delighted to give you additional information about the journey so please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!

Locations: PYMBLE | ONLINE

PHONE: 0401 376 141

help@mystiquemoksha.com.au