Kunga Journeys India yoga + Service Retreat

2025 Dates TBA

with Charlee Austin + Noelle Whittington

Visit the Birthplace of Yoga + Take Your Practice Off the Mat

Join us as we travel to Bangalore, Hassan + Mysore, India for an annual Kunga Yoga Service Retreat.

WHAT THE India Yoga RETREAT INCLUDES: 

  • 8 nights/9 days accommodations (4 nights at the Hassan Homes of Hope Orphanage + 4 nights stay at a hotel in Mysore, India)
  • Donation to Home of Hope Orphanage (20% of retreat investment)
  • Daily morning and afternoon yoga + meditation classes (includes yoga with the Girls)
  • 19 meals included (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner while at the orphanage and Breakfast + 2 Group Dinners in Mysore)
  • Option to work with our Travel Agent
  • Airport transfer to Hassan Orphanage upon your arrival
  • Transportation from Hassan Orphanage to Mysore
  • Airport transfer from Mysore to Bangalore Airport
  • Daily activities at the Home of Hope Orphanage
  • Service Project at Orphanage (TBD)
  • Spending time with the Girls (reading, playing, helping with homework, etc.)
  • Free time in Mysore to sight-see, rest, visit Ayurvedic Spas & Clinics

Hassan Homes of Hope Orphanage

We will be staying at the Hassan Homes of Hope Orphanage, India the first four nights of the trip.  Here we will experience life with the girls, staying down the halls from them in similar rooms to theirs: bunk beds with multiple people in a room.  We will be there for a service project and to spend time with the Girls.  

When we travel to Mysore, we will stay in a hotel with private or shared room options.  We will have some optional activities planned as well as free time to explore!

Homes of Hope Orphanage India

Mysore + Bangalore India Yoga Retreat packages

Package option 1

Includes:
Single Room (at Mysore Hotel)

8 nights/9 days accommodations
Donation to Home of Hope Orphanage
Daily morning + afternoon yoga + meditation classes
19 Meals
Airport Transportation + Option to work with Travel Agent

PRICE: TBA

Package option 2

Includes:
Double Room (at Mysore Hotel)

8 nights/9 days accommodations
Donation to Home of Hope Orphanage
Daily morning + afternoon yoga + meditation classes
19 Meals
Airport Transportation + Option to work with Travel Agent

PRICE: TBA


Payment Plans are available, $500 non-refundable deposit due at booking.

Retreat does not include:

  • Airfare
  • Food costs for “free meals”
  • Admission to museums, spas, tourist sights, etc.
  • Extra travel and transportation costs
  • Travel insurance

Social Mission:

  • 100% of proceeds from this retreat are donated to Homes of Hope, India

CEUS :

  • 10 CEUs available

Retreat Leaders

Charlee Austin + Noelle Whittington

From the Outer Banks of North Carolina, to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and to Kerala, India; Charlee and Noelle have been sharing retreat experiences together since 2014.

We welcome you to experience the journey to India with us next January! We value connection, growth, and play. Noelle has been to India 5 times as a retreat lead/co-lead and this will be Charlee’s second time. We look forward to traveling and sharing this path of service with you!


What is Kunga Yoga?

“Kunga” is a Rwandan word meaning “to serve, help, or reconcile”. The mission of all Kunga Yoga programs is to offer the teachings of yoga as a path of service to the planet, its people, and all beings. The heart of all Kunga Yoga programs is to encourage, inspire, and support healthy living, community building, volunteering, fundraising, and positive activism.

The word “Kunga” was chosen in honor of and inspired by a group of children that we had the honor of working with, the Mizero orphans of the Rwandan genocide. Our mission is supported by three primary platforms: Kunga Yoga public classes, the Kunga Yoga Teacher Training School, and Kunga Journeys service-based fundraising yoga retreats. All 3 platforms are offered at multiple yoga studios and locations across the globe.

The vision of Kunga Yoga is to connect cultures by inspiring and training individuals to approach their yoga practice and lifestyle choices as an opportunity to serve others, encourage healthy communities, and inspire positive activism. We work diligently to connect volunteers, donors, yoga students, and yoga teachers with non-profits and local and communities in need.


2024 India Retreat Contact Form

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India yoga Retreat Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation, the following policies apply:

$500 Non-refundable deposit is due at booking. Your balance is due by the Early Bird date (to receive discount) or October 15, 2023.

60 days or more prior to the program: Your payment can be refunded (less the $500 deposit) or transferred to another Village Yoga program at no cost.

59-46 days prior to the program: Payments are not refundable, but are transferable (less $250 administration fee) to another Village Yoga program.

45 days or less prior to the program: Payments are not refundable or transferable.

The above policies apply regardless of the reason for cancellation (such sickness, death in family or emergency, etc). We highly recommend attendees purchase full travel insurance. Village Yoga and The Kunga Yoga School are not responsible for any extra costs.

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to cancel retreat should we have less than minimum of 8 participants registered. Registrants will be notified by October 31st in the rare case that trip is cancelled. Please contact retreat coordinator with questions.


india kunga yoga retreat FAQs

Do I need trip insurance?

Yes, you will be required to show proof of trip insurance. With everything going on in the world, it is best that you can travel with peace of mind for your retreat.

Is my airfare included?

No, you are responsible for purchasing your own airfare 

What airport do I fly into?

We will be flying in and out of Bangalore (BLR). We will be working with a travel agent, so that we can coordinate flights as best we can to arrive together. Most flights in/out of India are very early in the morning. Plan on arriving into BLR on Thursday 1/4/24, this means you will be departing the US on Wednesday, 1/3/24. We will be leaving Mysore Friday afternoon (1/12/24) so that we can depart on Saturday morning (1/13/24). In the past, many participants have traveled to other parts of the world after the retreat is over.

How will I get to the retreat center?

We will have transportation scheduled to pick up participants from BLR upon arrival. Again, we encourage you to work with our travel agent (at no extra cost) to ensure you arrive with the group.

* Village Yoga is not responsible for delayed/canceled flights and any extra costs that may occur.

How close is Homes of Hope Orphanage to the airport?

The Homes of Hope Orphanage we are staying at is about 2.5-3 hours away from BLR

How far is Mysore from Hassan and Bangalore?

Bangalore, Hassan, and Mysore are in a triangle with each other, all about 2.5-3.5 hours away from one another. We will have professional transportation between all destinations.

Where will we be staying?

We will be staying at Homes of Hope Orphanage from Thursday until Monday morning. Accommodations will be in bunk rooms down the hall from the girls.
We will travel from Hassan to Mysore on Monday and check into a beautiful hotel with private and shared room options. We will leave Mysore on Friday afternoon and head to Bangalore to catch our flights home.

Is there a pool?

There is a pool at the hotel in Mysore.

What’s it like to be in India?

Being in India can be complete sensory overload and overwhelming. With that being said, it is truly amazing and an incredible experience. Bring noise cancelling headphones, eye masks, a scarf to cover your nose and mouth while walking around some streets, and an open mind and heart.

Charlee and Noelle have both been to India, feel free to reach out with any questions!

Are all the classes and activities required?

All participation is completely optional, but encouraged for an optimal experience!

What kind of food will we be eating (I have an allergy)?

While at the Homes of Hope, our food will be prepared by the Sisters (Catholic Nuns) who take care of the Girls. We will be eating traditional Indian Cuisine. If you have specific nutritional needs, please let us know. While in Mysore, breakfast at the hotel will be included. Please bring extra money for lunches, dinners, coffees, and snacks!

Do we have free time?

Yes! While the days at Homes of Hope will be long while we work on the service project and spend time with the Girls; our time in Mysore will be much more relaxed (if you’d like!). We will have optional activities planned as well as down time.

I’m new to yoga, is this retreat for me?

All of our practices will be taught for all levels of practitioners.

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is designed for those who are interested in serving others while also serving themselves.

Do I have to come for the entire retreat?

You can stay for as long as you like, although we recommend staying the entire time to get the full experience. Payment plans are not available for partial participation.

I can’t afford the retreat, but I really want to come! Are there any financial aid opportunities?

Absolutely! We understand that retreats can be expensive. We offer payment plans! If a payment plan interests you, contact us as soon as possible. Early Bird rates do not apply to payment plans.