Whether you’re looking for inner peace or just want to laze on some of India’s best beaches, you can stay in style without breaking the bank on Kerala’s beautiful coast
North of the town of Kannur, much of the Keralan coast is still very undeveloped by tourism. So there are glorious, empty beaches and quiet rivers and estuaries that seem a world away from the crowded backwaters of the more Catholic south.
The base for our winter yoga retreat is a boutique hotel complex of white Kerala style bungalows with traditional wood-tiled roofs. The resort backs on to a long sweep of golden sands and is located just beyond the small town of Nileshwar.
Fishermen launch their boats here, herons and egrets stalk the shallows. Paths run between the beach and the resort’s gardens – complete with coconut palms and hammocks. This is a simple-yet-stylish place to stay, its 10 bungalows provide cool, generously sized bedrooms opening on to wide decks. You immediately sink into a feeling of peace here, lounging by the pool, taking Ayurvedic treatments in the small spa or pottering through the gardens to the sea. The hotel’s genial staff are delighted to arrange temple and festival visits, a rice-barge to cruise the tranquil northern waterways.
Yoga takes place twice daily in our temporary yoga Shaka erected on the edge of the beach under the palms to enable us to enjoy the sea breezes and the sunsets.
The food is delicious, Southern Indian with plenty of fresh ingredients. An a la carte luntime menu features dishes for those who on occasion wish to indulge their western pallets.
For details of our Winter 2018 yoga retreat in North Kerala which takes place from 24 Feb – 3 March please visit www.elisawilliamsyoga.com/yoga-in-kerala
