India yoga and wellness retreat

Planet

Carbon reduction and conscious travel
This retreat involves both international and domestic flights due to the geographical spread of Kerala and Varanasi; we recognise the emissions these generate and aim to balance this within our annual carbon budget by limiting high-emission trips to one per year. Within India, we prioritise slow and shared travel wherever possible. Transfers between locations are planned to be in shared vehicles, and we integrate overnight rail travel on the sleeper train as an intentional part of the experience, reducing reliance on additional short-haul flights and enriching cultural immersion. We provide a conscious packing list to help guests minimise single-use plastics, support water efficiency and choose low-impact travel gear.

Our culinary choices emphasise locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce. Traditional Indian meals are prepared with spices, vegetables and grains from regional markets; vegetarian and vegan options are always available. Meals across Kerala, Varanasi and Delhi are intended not only to nourish but to connect guests with local tastes and food traditions.

Environment and wildlife
While this retreat does not involve wilderness conservation in the same way as remote national parks, we intentionally visit landscapes that are ecologically significant and respectfully supported. In Munnar, we stay on a working tea and coffee estate with deep roots in the local environment. The accommodation is sited on a small proportion of land, with the majority left in its natural state, and built to minimise land impact. Energy use is low due to the hill climate, food is locally sourced, waste is managed carefully, and biodegradable options are prioritised. Around 50 per cent of the estate workforce are local village residents, and nearly all staff are from the state, contributing to local livelihoods and continuity of traditional agricultural practices.

In the backwaters of Lake Vembanad, our exploration focuses on waterways, village life and sustainable livelihoods tied to the ecology of the region. We travel by small boat with local guides and learn about backwater dynamics, coconut groves and toddy tapping through direct observation rather than extractive activity.

People

Local economy and partnerships
This retreat has been thoughtfully designed and coordinated in partnership with a small, woman-owned local travel agency based in India, whose deep regional knowledge and long-standing relationships have shaped the journey from the ground up. Working with an independent local agent allows us to move beyond surface-level tourism and build an itinerary rooted in trust, cultural understanding and shared values.

Throughout the trip, we prioritise locally owned and operated accommodation, guides and service providers. From boutique hotels in Kochi to a working tea estate in Munnar and a community-rooted Ayurvedic retreat on the backwaters, our hosts are small enterprises embedded in the places we visit. By choosing family-run properties, local drivers and specialist guides, we aim to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism remain within local communities.

In northern India, we continue this approach by working with local guides and social enterprises in Varanasi and Old Delhi. In Old Delhi, our walking and rickshaw tour is led by Street Connections in support of the Salaam Baalak Trust, creating direct social impact while offering meaningful insight into the area’s history and daily life.

Employment, inclusivity and diversity
Across this retreat, the majority of roles — drivers, local guides, housekeepers, cooks and activity providers — are filled by people from the regions we visit. They bring invaluable expertise, hospitality and lived knowledge to your experience. Our trip is LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive in design, and while the varied terrain and travel involved may not be suitable for people with significant mobility challenges, we continue to refine our accessibility approach for future trips. As a certified B Corp, we are committed to ethical employment practices and fair pay across our supply chain.