Discovering the Deccan Plateau, a tour of India
with yoga and meditationTour Led by Daniele Rabozzi 25th January – 9th February 2025

“Discovering the Deccan Plateau, a tour of India with yoga and meditation” heads off the beaten track to explore the Deccan plateau in Karnataka. While in Hampi we will have the time to explore the archeological area and the possibility to practice yoga and meditation.

Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire between the 14th and 17th centuries, Hampi boasts India’s largest UNESCO site, with some 1600 monuments over a 40 km2 area.

As well as the interest and appeal of its archaeological sites and monuments, the geologically ancient nature around Hampi is truly stunning: time has smoothed and moulded the rocks into a surreal landscape of shapes and colours.

The speed at which we travel is paced to get under the surface of the locations we visit. Apart from the final two days of the tour, we stay at least two nights in each location. Visits to temples, historical sites and places of natural beauty take us to the true heart and soul of India: its people.

Organized or solo, any trip to India plunges visitors into a very different world. However distant that world may be from our own, spending time in India always resonates within.

Daniel began practicing yoga in 1981; over the years he trained as a teacher with direct students of Gerard Blitz and was later influenced by the Kashmiri Shivaite yoga tradition as transmitted by Eric Baret.

Since the 1980s he has traveled regularly to India where, in 1995, he first met Vimala Thakar, a spiritual teacher and social activist. Vimala’s friendship and teachings revolutionized his understanding of the practice by expanding yoga on the mat to every aspect of life.

He teaches in Verbania at the Kailash Yoga Study Center he founded in 1995, on Lake Orta at the Mandali International Center and in Locarno, Switzerland at the Annapurna Center.

He leads residential retreats in Italy, Switzerland, Holland and India.

He is a member of YANI (Yoga – National Teachers Association), of whose Board of Directors he was a member from 2009 to 2015.

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Rock Climbing, Badami
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The Itinerary

DELHI – HUBALI - BADAMI – (PATTADAKAL) – HAMPI – CHIKMAGALUR (BELUR – HALEBEEDU) – HASSAN (SHRAVANABELA GOLA) – MYSORE – BANGALORE

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

Bhootanatha Temple, Badami

DAY 1: SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY - FLY FROM MILAN MALPENSA TO DELHI, VIA DUBAI
Fly from Milan to Dubai with Emirates Airlines EK0092, departure at 21:35.

DAY 2: SUNDAY, 26TH JANUARY - ARRIVE IN DELHI
Arrival at Dubai at 06:35. Connecting flight to Delhi at 09:55 with Emirates Airlines EK516, arrive in Delhi at 14:30 local time (12 hours and 35 minutes flight). After clearing immigration and customs, we collect our luggage and walk to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel inside the airport.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Holiday Inn Express Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulB  
DAY 3: MONDAY, 27TH JANUARY - FLY TO HUBLI AND COACH TRANSFER TO BADAMI
After breakfast, proceed to the domestic departure area and check in for flight to Hubli (check-in 2 hours before flight departure).

Depart from Delhii at 10:00 for Hubli (Hubali) on Indigo flight 6E-5624; arrival at 12:25. Upon arrival in Hubli, meet a Soul of India rep and transfer by coach to Badami (roughly a 3-hour journey).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at the Badami Court Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBD  

Granite Hills, Hampi

DAY 4: TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY- BADAMI SIGHTSEEING
Day dedicated to visiting Badami’s four amazing caves, featuring paintings that date back to 578 AD, including the famous 18-armed dancing Nataraja executing eighty-one dance poses.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at the Badami Court Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulBD  
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 29TH JANUARY - DRIVE TO HAMPI, EN ROUTE, PATTADAKAL VISIT
Drive to Hampi by bus (roughly three and a half hours drive). Along the way, visit Pattadakal Virupaksha, the main temple at Pattadakal with statues representing characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Afternoon arrival at the Hampi Heritage Resort in Hampi, where we will be staying for six nights (breakfasts and dinners included).

JourneysFortheSoulHampi Heritage Resort   JourneysFortheSoulBD  
DAY 6/7/8/9/10: FROM THURSDAY, 30TH JANUARY TO MONDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY - DAYS AT LEISURE FOR YOGA AND MEDITATION SESSIONS YOGA AND MEDITATION SESSIONS
During our time in Hampi, we will have access to the hotel’s conference room for yoga and meditation practices at specific times of day.

Free time visits are possible to a number of archaeological sites and organized tours via local transport (rickshaws and taxis); for some sites, we will arrange guided tours. Transportation services, entrance tickets to archaeological sites and guides are extra.

JourneysFortheSoulHampi Heritage Resort   JourneysFortheSoulBD  

Chitradurga, Karnataka

DAY 11: TUESDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY - DRIVE TO CHIKMAGALUR. EN ROUTE, CHITRADURGA FORT VISIT
Drive from Hampi to Chitradurga (about two and a half hours).

Upon arrival in Chitradurga, lunch at a local restaurant (included in tour price), followed by a guided walking tour of Chitradurga Fort.

After the visit, proceed to Chikmagalur (about three hours).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight stay at the Silver Sky Hotel & Resort, Chikmagalur   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 12: WEDNESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY - CHIKMAGALUR SIGHTSEEING
Drive by 4x4 jeeps to Mullyanagiri and Baba Budangiri. Mullyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, there is a 500 steps walk to reach the peak. If there will be any time left the group will be able to choose from the following locations: Dattapeeta Cave, a famous pilgrimage site, Honnaamanahalla Falls, Z view point or visit a coffee plantation.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight stay at the Silver Sky Hotel & Resort, Chikmagalur   JourneysFortheSoulBD  
DAY 13: THURSDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY - DRIVE TO HASSAN, EN ROUTE VISIT BELUR AND HALEBEEDU
Drive to Hassan. En route, visit Belur and Halebeedu, jewels of 12th-century Hoysala art. It’s about a 1-hour journey from Chikmagalur to the Chennakeshava temple in Belur. After this visit, it’s another thirty minutes to reach Halebeedu, where we will be visiting the Hoysaleshvara Shiva temple.
After the temple visit, drive to Hassan, about an hour away.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight stay at the Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan   JourneysFortheSoulBD  

Sharvanabela Gola, Karnataka

DAY 14: FRIDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY - DRIVE TO MYSORE. EN ROUTE, SHRAVANABELA GOLA VISIT
Drive to Mysore. Along the way, we visit the most important Jain site in southern India: the small city and pilgrimage destination of Shravanbela Gola (an hour’s journey). It is a 650-step climb to reach the top of Vindhyagiri Hill, where the bare rock is crowned by the world’s tallest monolithic statue: Bahubali, one of the most important Jain deities.

After the visit, we continue on to Mysore (two-hour journey). If desired, in the afternoon, guests can visit Mysore Palace.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel   JourneysFortheSoulD  
DAY 15: SATURDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY - MORNING VISIT TO RANGANATHITTU BIRD SANCTUARY LATE MORNING, DRIVE TO BANGALORE, DINNER AND SHORT REST IN HOTEL AND DRIVE TO AIRPORT, FLY TO MILAN VIA ABU DHABI
Early breakfast and visit to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located 20 kilometers from Mysore. Return to the hotel for a refreshment and depart for Bangalore airport. Lunch en route at a local restaurant in Channapatna (included in tour price). Drive to Clarks Inn Hotel in Bangalore (roughly 2 and a half hours drive), dinner at hotel and rest for a few hours, late in the evening drive to Airportto board an early flight the next day.

JourneysFortheSoulRooms are booked at Clarks Inn, Bangalore   JourneysFortheSoulBLD  
DAY 16: SUNDAY, 9TH FEBRUARY – DEPARTURE FROM BANGALORE AND ARRIVAL IN MILAN
Early morning transfer to Bangalore airport about 30 minutes’ drive, and board your Emirates flight.

TOUR COST
The cost per person sharing a twin or double room
$2995
Single room supplement
$1150
Email: enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630
  • If you wish to book this tour, please complete the booking form, sign and e-mail it to us. A non-refundable deposit of $600.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 10 weeks before departure. You can make the deposit payment by debit or credit card or electronic transfer to our bank. Our Bank details are on the booking form.
  • Booking Forms - E-Booking Form GBP | E-Booking Form USD
Read our Booking Terms and Conditions

Email: enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630
NA

Cost Includes
  • Domestic flight in economy class as per itinerary (checked baggage allowance on domestic flight: one item of luggage weighing no more than 23 kg. Additional luggage may be pre-booked online up to a maximum of two pieces at a cost of $12 each.
  • Hotel accommodation as per itinerary, in a double or twin room with en suite bathroom.
  • Fee for yoga teaching in Hampi.
  • All breakfasts and dinners as per itinerary. Additionally, lunches on days 11 and 15.
  • Services of an English-speaking Soul of India rep upon arrival at Hubli airport and departure from Bangalore Airport.
  • All coach transfers and sightseeing tours (in private air-conditioned vehicles with driver).
  • English-speaking guides during sightseeing tours.
  • Entrance tickets to all monuments during sightseeing tours, as specified in the itinerary (except in Hampi)
  • Complementary mineral water during travel and sightseeing tours (except in Hampi)
Cost Does Not Include
  • International flights on Emirates Airlines. Clients may purchase the flights independently and directly from the airline, or ask Soul of India for a flight quote when booking the trip.
  • India visa fee. E-tourist visas are now available for Italian citizens. After booking is confirmed, Soul of India will send you a step-by-step guide on applying for the India visa. This process must be done independently and individually.
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks, etc.
  • Tips.
  • Fees for using cameras or camcorders at monument sites or other places of interest.
  • Travel insurance. It is essential to take out travel insurance before departure appropriate for your age, health and the destination you are visiting.
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Terms And Conditions