SACRED INDIA:
Devotional
Pilgrimage
to the
Heartland
of Yoga

A 13-Day Immersive
Tour of Sacred Sites
of Southern India

December 28, 2026
to
January 10, 2027

Back by popular demand, the Sacred India Pilgrimage is a journey unlike any other!

Experience the profound grace of the heartland of yoga, as we visit sacred sites, make offerings at some of the most ancient living temples, and engage in deep spiritual practice.

Our pilgrimage starts with your flight into Chennai, and from there we journey through mystical Tamil Nādu, then into the heart of historic Karnataka, tracing some of the most powerful sites of the Yoga tradition. You will be in great hands with your guide, Hannah Muse, internationally-renowned teacher of yoga, scholar of yoga philosophy and mythology, whose great reverence for the tradition has led her to guide successful and meaningful trips to India the past 14 years. Hannah's pilgrimages are legendary not only for the extraordinary sites visited, but for the way she brings each place alive through the stories of the deities enshrined there — weaving together mythology, history, and living practice into an experience that is as deeply illuminating as it is devotional. Hannah honors the ancient, arcane, oft-hidden or forgotten stories of the yogic pantheon with an inimitable enchantment and depth, and nowhere does this gift come more fully alive than in the temples of India. 

Her trip support and your travel host is Yusuf Gaffar, director and founder of YogaQuest Tours — a Tamil Nādu native and veteran tour operator who will personally accompany our group for the entirety of the journey. Hannah and Yusuf have worked together through several successful trips, becoming dear friends, and are looking forward to creating another incredible experience for you.

You can relax into your India experience knowing we’ve taken care of everything for you. We’ve planned the whole trip with new seekers and veteran yogins alike: with a detailed itinerary of spiritual sites (many you would not ordinarily find), comfortable transportation, luxurious hotels, incredible (we mean incredible!) southern Indian cuisine, expertly-guided yoga asana and meditation practices, admission to historical sites, educational talks and spiritual contemplation, clear drinking water, and transformative rituals at ancient temples.

No one yet has left our India pilgrimages without experiencing some combination of immense wonder, meaning, and transformation. 

What’s Included:

✔️ A detailed itinerary of profound ancient sites, ideal for spiritual seekers

✔️ 13 nights stay at heritage hotels and eco-resorts

✔️ Delicious southern Indian cuisine (3 meals per day included)

✔️ Daily yoga and meditation instruction with supportive and knowledgable teacher, Hannah Muse

✔️ Historical and spiritual talks with Hannah and local guides

✔️ On-trip support with our host and coordinator, Yusuf Gaffar who accompanies us always.

✔️ Surprise offerings like kirtan and cooking lessons

✔️ Admission to sacred sites and monuments

✔️ Transportation in air-conditioned comfort

✔️ Fruit and snacks on the whole journey

✔️ All tips for hotel staff, restaurants, washrooms, and temples.

✔️ All local taxes

✔️ Unlimited clean mineral water on the whole journey

✔️ Hannah's legendary mythological storytelling — deep dives into the deities, stories, and living symbolism at each sacred site

What’s Not Included:

✖️ Flights to and from India

✖️ Arrival transfer on Dec 28, 2026 and departure transfer on Jan 10, 2027 - we will arrange for you!

✖️ At temples: special pujas and camera fees

✖️ Tips for our private team

✖️ Massage and ayurvedic treatments (optional)

What past participants have to say:

“Every aspect of our retreat was so far above even what I thought it would be. And it wouldn't have been the same if it had been with anyone else in the entire world. Hannah made it special with her intuitive nature, loving presence, and knowledge. I could not imagine a more magical experience.”

— A.D.

Trip Itinerary

December 28-31: After flying into Chennai → Mother India welcomes you oceanside in Mahabalipuram.

Your driver will welcome you at Chennai International Airport and whisk you south along the stunning East Coast Road — a scenic 1.5-hour drive through fishing villages, palm-lined stretches, and the first glimmers of the Bay of Bengal — to our eco-resort in Mahabalipuram.

Option to fly in a day early, and pay for an extra night's stay. We can help coordinate this for you.

We will welcome you to Mother India with a gentle, intentional landing right staying right on the beautiful waters of the Bay of Bengal. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mahabalipuram is home to some of India's most sublime rock art, caves, and shore temples. Settle in, breathe the salt air, and allow India to find you.

While spending our first days of pilgrimage in Mamallapuram (as its called by locals), we will balance our time between grounding yoga & meditation practice in our shala by the sea – with visits to the Pamcha Rathas: monolithic rock temples where we’ll meet Durga, Ganesha, and many others, including the awe-inspiring open-air relief of Arjuna's Penance, one of the largest stone carvings in the world. Be tantalized by Hannah’s mythic storytelling while experiencing these incredible 7th century masterpieces.

We will also have time for some leisurely sari shopping, or other temple attire you’ll need for the voyage ahead.

December 31-January 1: Chidambaram – Celebrate the New Year at one of the holiest places on earth.

We ring in the New Year in one of the holiest places on earth: the ancient and revered site of Chidambaram. We release the year (and maybe our fears) at the Kali temple, where the Goddess receives you in her form of fierce and boundless love. At the magnificent Chidambaram Natarāja Temple, we dance into the new year and receive darshana with the oldest still-worshipped Natarāja on the planet — Śiva in his Ānanda Tāṇḍava, the Cosmic Dance of Bliss. Hannah's storytelling of Natarāja and Kali make this one of the most unforgettable stops on the whole journey. This is the one night our lodging will be more simple — the only way to truly experience Chidambaram is to stay close to the temples and have optimal time for devotion. We cannot imagine a more powerful place to cross the threshold into the New Year!

January 1-4 – Tiruvannamalai: Begin 2027 in deep contemplation at the sacred mountain

We enter this new beginning in a place of serenity and deep wisdom tradition. Revered as the abode of Lord Śiva in his form as Arunachala — the eternal flame of divine consciousness — this place calls seekers inward toward self-realization in the most palpable way. We have built in time for quiet self-inquiry, guided practice overlooking the holy hill, cave visits, and the option to walk the sacred Giri Pradakṣiṇā around Arunachala.

We are welcomed by the priests of the legendary Arunachaleswarar Temple, of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas (revered 5 element temples) representing Agni — the element of Fire. Dharshana and ritual there brings us into the rhythms of abhishekam; we move through the vast temple corridors, seeking blessings at the Unnamulai Amman shrine. Hannah's mythological teachings illuminate every sanctum — each deity, each story, each layer of living tradition.

Arriving at the Sri Ramanasramam — the serene spiritual center at the foothills of Arunachala Hill — we enter a world of profound silence, simplicity, and deep inner peace. The main meditation hall houses the samadhi of the great sage Sri Ramana Maharshi, where we sit quietly in contemplation. Hannah will share stories of the deities and sages who have made this landscape their home across millennia. Great Indian saint Ramana Maharshi called Arunachala the spiritual Heart of the World. Aruna — red, bright like fire — signifies not ordinary flame, but Jnanagni, the Fire of Wisdom. Achala means hill. Thus: the Hill of Wisdom. What a way to begin again.

January 4-6: Hassan – Peaceful nature, extraordinary temples, mythological paradise

We travel west through scenic countryside and green farmlands to Hassan, where we settle in to a peaceful eco-resort surrounded by nature. First, we rest and integrate in this breathtaking setting. Then, we visit two of India's most extraordinary temple complexes. In Belur, the Chennakesava Temple dazzles with its intricate stone carvings and the architectural genius of the Hoysala era. In Halebidu, the Hoysaleswara Temple overwhelms the senses with its endlessly detailed sculptural panels depicting mythological scenes — a paradise for Hannah's storytelling. Every surface is a story, every deity an invitation into the living mythology of India.

January 6-9: Hampi: legendary birthplace of Hanuman, and astonishingly beautiful remnants of the Vijayanagara Empire

Our time in Hampi will be rich with so much vibrancy to experience! We visit the birthplace of Hanuman via sunrise at the phenomenal monkey temple. We explore the legendary capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most visually staggering landscapes on earth. The Virupaksha Temple — an active Śiva temple and the living spiritual heart of Hampi, Hemakuta Hill for ancient shrines and panoramic views. The quiet and powerful Achyutaraya Temple, where the massive stone architecture holds a stillness all its own.

The iconic Vittala Temple with its famous Stone Chariot and musical pillars — perhaps the single most photographed monument in all of South India. We continue to the elegant Lotus Mahal, the grand Elephant Stables, and the Royal Enclosure, heart of the ancient Vijayanagara empire, where the Hazara Rama Temple's walls are an encyclopedia of the Rāmāyaṇa in stone. Hannah's storytelling here is nothing short of magical.

January 10: Hampi → Hubli — Departure Day

After a final breakfast together, we make our way to Hubli Airport for your connecting flight to Bangalore (or elsewhere) and onward home. Our closing circle will be the evening before.

This is a brief summary of your Sacred India Pilgrimage — 13 transformative days in the heartland of yoga. The rest is beyond words - only known through present-moment experience. We welcome you to the grace of Mother India!

What past participants have to say:

“All of our ceremonies were so meaningful and perfect! Every site, every tree, every experience has changed me, and I truly feel like I have been part of such a sacred experience. I find that I am so much more grounded and can find peace with every situation as never before. I was called there, and the entire experience left an indelible mark on my heart. It has enriched me more than any other experience could have. I will be forever changed and always think of our time with such a grateful, open heart.”

— D.H.

Your Team

India can be a wild ride. This retreat offers an opportunity to be supported in a way that allows you to put your focus into devotion, not having to worry about logistics during your spiritual quest. Your experienced guides will hold space for the details so that you can be present for the teachings, the practices, and these rare sacred sites. 

You will be in the best of hands with Hannah and Yusuf, who have worked together on several previous India trips with great success.

Your Guide

Hannah Muse is an internationally-renowned teacher of yoga, meditation, mysticism, and philosophy. A priestess, mother and mythologist, Hannah is known for curating exquisite retreats that transform the mind and awaken the Heart. A devoted student and practitioner for two decades, Hannah has been guiding pilgrimages and retreats for over twelve years. She serves on the faculty of the Esalen Institute, as the Director of Awake Heart Teacher Trainings and Mount Madonna Center’s Prenatal Training, and is a featured facilitator in dozens of other trainings, festivals and conferences around the world. 

Hannah has trained extensively with masters in various traditions including Raja Yoga and Nondual Śaiva Tantra. Some of her most influential teachers are Baba Hari Dass, her root teacher in the Yoga tradition, and her Buddhist mindfulness teacher Tara Brach, whom Hannah completed training with over seven years ago. She bows in deep gratitude to all of her teachers, too many to name here, and yet each a precious gift on the path.

In addition to her fulfilling teaching life, Hannah (who’s background is in social and ecological advocacy) serves as President of the nonprofit Yoga for All Movement, an organization that offers yoga and mindfulness to thousands of people each year in jails, recovery centers, juvenile halls and other historically underserved communities.

When she’s not on pilgrimage, you can find Hannah delighted to guide meditation twice each week in the Shelter in the Heart global online sangha, in the ocean with her daughter, practicing asana with her husband (whom she met in Tamil Nadu, India!), dancing wildly, or meditating quietly.

Your Logistics Coordinator

Let's talk about Yusuf, the epitome of a smart, hardworking individual who understands his clients with love and care. With an impressive 22 years of experience in tour operations, he excels at arranging all the logistical requirements seamlessly. From coordinating transportation to booking accommodations, Yusuf handles every detail with precision and efficiency. But what truly sets him apart is his unwavering dedication to taking care of his clients from arrival to departure. He goes above and beyond to ensure their needs are not just met but exceeded, creating unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression. His passion for providing exceptional service shines through in everything he does, making him a trusted partner for anyone seeking a memorable and stress-free travel experience. In short, Yusuf is the definition of professionalism combined with genuine care – a true gem in the world of tour operations.

FAQs

  • Although this 13-day journey is also considered retreat, it is essential to understand the devotional nature of this trip. Rather than a “sight-seeing” vacation, or a yoga retreat held in one location, this is a spiritual adventure to some of the most sacred sites of South India, with practice and teachings guiding our way.

  • You will fly into Chennai, arriving on December 28, 2026 (or earlier if you'd like to add on additional nights), and departing from Hubli on January 10, 2027.

    When you book your flights, it is very easy to purchase a "multi-city" trip on booking sites such as Kayak.com, arriving into Chennai, and departing either Bengaluru or Delhi, in the early morning (like 1 or 3am) on January 11.

    On a separate booking, you'll book your short flight from Hubli on January 10th, in the afternoon or evening. There are flights to Delhi at 7:50pm and Bengaluru at 8pm on January 10th.

  • No! We will arrange a dependable, trustworthy shuttle driver for you. A have a car or van waiting for you upon arrival in Chennai, and depending on how many people are scheduled to arrive, you should never have to wait more than 30 minutes. The cost of the shuttle depends on how many will be riding with you. We will send a form for you to fill out your flight info so we can have it ready for you, making it a smooth and easy arrival!

  • You may arrive at Chennai airport anytime during the day on the 28th of December. Our time together begins with a welcome dinner and opening circle. As for departure, book your flight no earlier than 3pm from Hubli.

  • Yes, if you arrange with us in our pre-arrival questionnaire to book an extra night with the eco-resort. You will need to have us arrange this if you want to check into your room prior to 2pm check-in time. For some, flights will be arriving at 5am or 7am on the morning of the 28th. Alternatively, you are welcome to come to the hotel and hang out on the beach! However, if you want to check-in to your room, have a shower or nap, you will need to book an extra night, for the 27th.

  • Yes, travel insurance is required. The level of coverage you choose is up to you. However, do note there are plans that allow you to cancel for any reason and be fully reimbursed. 

  • Yes, an Indian e-visa is required to enter the country - and it’s quite easy now! After years of travel to India where Hannah had to pre-mail her physical passport and go through a tedious process to obtain a visa. You can apply for an e-Tourist Visa online, and you will receive your authorization via email. Once you register for the trip, we will send you instructions and all the info you need for this.

  • Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from our date of entry into India. Check your passport and start the renewal process if your expiration date is prior to June 1, 2027.

  • We stay in the finest lodging available in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, focusing on eco-lodging options whenever we can. Some of our lodging are eco-resorts in natural settings, while others are historic elegant hotels that have been updated for modern comforts. There will be one night when our lodging will be more simple - in Chidambaram. This is a very special temple, and the hotels here are all very small. The only way to see this temple (which is NOT to be missed as it houses the first Śiva Nataraj statue!), is to stay in a small, quaint, local hotel for one night. We love the places we stay, and have developed wonderful relationships with the staff over the years of travel here. The spaces are lovely, the food is consistently delicious and safe to eat, and the service is wonderful.

  • Although most of us will be rooming in double rooms with two beds (or one if you are traveling with someone you’d like to share with), we are happy to arrange a single option for you. There will be a supplemental charge of $900 for separate single accommodations.

  • Yes, Hannah is an excellent teacher for adapting practices for folks with diverse backgrounds, abilities, bodies, and so forth. (In fact, she is the President of a nonprofit called The Yoga for All Movement, which offers yoga and mindfulness to individuals in communities who have not historically had access to these profound practices.) The focus of the trip is devotional, rather than high-impact fitness yoga. We value accessibility and inclusion, and all experience of yoga practice, including beginner, are welcome.

  • On some days, we will be walking merely around a temple area, while other days there will be more vigorous walking to visit caves, Giri Pradakshina, and other spiritual quests. The most rigorous walk (hiking up a holy hill) in our itinerary will have another lovely option available, for anyone who chooses not to trek. If you are concerned about walking and your physical wellbeing, please contact us and we can talk it over with you. Please note: we are delighted to have had pilgrims in their 70’s and 80 on pilgrimage with us! 

  • Although you will be immersed in the ancient lands and history of India, and have guides sharing with you the historical background and the rich cultural heritage, this trip is more than that: it’s a spiritual pilgrimage for those who are looking to lean into the devotional and spiritual aspects of India, and of existence. In addition to history, you will also receive teachings on Yoga philosophy, storytelling of the Indian pantheon, direct experience practice, and darshana with deities in ancient temples.

  • For visiting temples, yes. Shoulders and knees must be covered, as well as no leggings, tight jeans, or tight pants unless there is a skirt over covering to the knee. You may wear yoga leggings while we’re at our lodging practicing yoga. We will also take everyone sari shopping early in the trip, so that you have proper attire for some of our big temple visits.

  • Yes, after registering you will receive a welcome email and following it, you’ll receive a detailed email with all the information you could ever hope for, including: packing lists for clothing, shoes, toiletries; Indian customs and how to show cultural respect; how to stay connected (wifi, data plans, using your cell in India); how much money to bring, exchange rates, etc; dietary information, travel wellness and more.

  • We always work to refund folks when something comes up, while balancing this with the need to compensate our hard working team for their work, and, as you can imagine, we pay in advance for hotels and other trip arrangements. Here is our refund policy: If you cancel prior to 60 days before, and we can register someone else to replace your spot, you can receive a refund less a $300 administrative fee. If you cancel within 60 days of the trip, and we can register someone else to replace your spot, you can receive a refund less a $600 administrative fee. There is absolutely no guarantee that we will be able to find someone to replace your spot, especially closer to the trip, but we always do our best to help out our yogis. Many travel insurance plans allow you to cancel for various reasons with full reimbursement. 

    1. Fill out the application on this webpage.

    2. Within 48 hours, you’ll hear back from us. With great joy, we will hold your spot for 3 days after sending your acceptance letter email. 

    3. Within 3 days, you will submit your initial deposit of $900 or pay in full. Your spot is not confirmed until we receive your deposit.

    4. You’re in! Get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

    5. We will send you a packing list, questionnaire, and other support to prepare for this wondrous pilgrimage.

  • Final payment is due on or any time before September 1, 2026.

  • Absolutely. Reach out to us at care@hannahmuse.com, and we can work with you on a plan.

Investment

$4,550 for double room, 13-night guided pilgrimage to the spiritual sites of India

*Inquire for single occupancy pricing and availability

All-inclusive trip featuring:

✔️ the dream itinerary for spiritual seekers

✔️ lodging in 3-5 star hotels

✔️ delicious southern Indian cuisine (3 meals per day included)

✔️ air conditioned private transport

✔️ clean drinking water

✔️ guides and teachers

✔️ everything else described above

 

The grace of Maa India awaits you!

To apply for this trip of a lifetime, fill out the form below. We will get back to you within 48 hours.