Varkala · Kerala, India
Eight nights above the Arabian Sea. Morning practice, a different corner of Kerala each day, yoga at sunset, and dinner on the North Cliff — the same place we return to every January, and never the same trip twice.
Why we keep going back
Not a holiday with yoga attached. Nine days of living at the pace of the practice.
Varkala's cliff sits above a stretch of coast Keralans have treated as sacred for centuries — red laterite rock, mineral springs running straight out of the cliff face onto the sand, and a sea that turns copper at six every evening.
Mornings begin before the heat, on an open shala with the palms in front of you. Afternoons are for beach walks, swims in the refreshing waters of the Arabian Sea, yoga at sunset, and then a delicious dinner along the North Cliff's vibrant stretch of restaurants.
The practice is traditionally rooted and open to every level. You do not need an advanced practice. You need nine days.
Sunrise to sunset
Nine days out of the routine. Leave the inbox, the deadlines and the noise behind — disconnect from all of it, and reconnect with yourself.
Day by day
Day 01 · Thu 7 Jan
Group or individual departure from Beirut, flying overnight to Trivandrum.
Day 02 · Fri 8 Jan
Into Trivandrum early morning and straight to Nebo, where the rooms are ready and waiting. Rest, then the opening circle and our first practice together. A walk down to Papanasam beach where the springs meet the sand, and a visit to Janardanaswamy Temple.
Day 03 · Sat 9 Jan
Morning practice, then out to Jatayu Earth's Center and the eagle temple — the world's largest bird sculpture, on a rock 350 metres up.
Day 04 · Sun 10 Jan
After morning practice and breakfast, we travel to the Adiyogi Shiva statue and temple at Kollam — the tallest Shiva statue in South India.
Day 05 · Mon 11 Jan
Morning practice, then kayaking the mangroves, and a swim in the backwaters where hot and cold underwater springs meet.
Day 06 · Tue 12 Jan
Anjengo Fort and the elephant sanctuary, and the Golden Island temple at Ponnumthuruthu.
Day 07 · Wed 13 Jan
The golden temple of Padmanabhaswamy, then evening kirtan at the ISKCON Krishna Balaram temple with dinner served at the temple.
Day 08 · Thu 14 Jan
An incense-making workshop, time for shopping on the cliff, and the closing circle. The final sunset is not optional.
Day 09 · Fri 15 Jan
A last morning practice and a last swim. The room stays yours through the evening — then, after midnight, we transfer to Trivandrum for the flight home. Extensions available for anyone continuing on in India.
Beyond the mat
Beach walks, warm water, and a morning on the backwaters — kayaking through the mangroves, then a swim where hot and cold underwater springs meet.
Where you'll stay
Every room sits around the shala. You step out of your door, climb a few stairs, and you're on the mat. Prices are per person for the full stay.
Early bird prices until 20 October 2026
2 rooms available
$958
per person, double occupancy · early bird
Initial price $1,138
4 rooms available
$1,040
per person, double occupancy · early bird
Initial price $1,220
4 rooms available
$1,066
per person, double occupancy · early bird
Initial price $1,246
The fine print, up front
Your own yoga mat and at least one block. Everything else you'll find on the cliff.
We can recommend booking your flight with certain airlines, or you are free to book by yourself.
Holding your place
Step 01
Send us a message on 81 940 368 with your room preference, or fill in the form below and we'll come to you.
Step 02
Your booking is secured only once the deposit is received. The deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation, for any reason.
Step 03
Rooms are limited. If the balance isn't settled by 23 November 2026, the room is released to the waiting list.
Who you're travelling with
Founder of RAM Holistic Wellness, E-RYT 500, thirteen years in the Ashtanga lineage — and back in Kerala every year since 2019, leading trainings and retreats.
Which means this is not a group tour with a yoga teacher attached. It is a small group led by someone who knows the cliff, the resort, the Ayurvedic doctors and the fastest way to get you a coconut.
Before you ask
No. The practice is traditionally rooted and taught for all levels, with hands-on guidance so everyone works at their own pace in the same room. Several people join the retreat each year with no previous yoga experience.
Most people do. Solo travellers are given a private single room, as we cannot guarantee pairing them with other participants.
Kerala's best month — dry, around 30°C in the day and low twenties at night. The sea is warm enough to swim every afternoon. Bring light clothing and one layer for early mornings.
Lebanese passport holders need an Indian visa, applied for at the embassy in Beirut. Non-Lebanese passport holders can apply online for an e-visa, usually approved within a few days. We send full instructions once you have enrolled, along with the invitation letter to submit to the embassy.
Breakfast and lunch are largely Kerala vegetarian, mostly gluten-free by default and easily made vegan. Tell us your restrictions on the form and we brief the kitchen before arrival. Dinners on the North Cliff offer everything from Keralan seafood to Italian.
Yes. Many people feel the retreat was short and want to stay on in Varkala or head to another city. If you'd like to stay at the hotel, we can help you get our discounted rate, or help with an internal flight to any destination in India. Book your own return leg and we'll help with the rest.
7 – 16 January 2027