11-Day Ayurveda & Yoga Wellness Retreat in Chottanikkara, Kerala

The retreat is rooted in the work of the Ennakkathara Arya Vaidyasala, a family-run Ayurvedic hospital and treatment center that has been operating in Chottanikkara since 1977. The facility sits near the Chottanikkara Devi Temple, and the atmosphere is calm and clinical rather than resort-like — this is an authentic treatment center first. Guests stay in simple private rooms with attached bathrooms, and days run on a schedule of morning yoga, treatments, workshops, and evening meditation.

The teaching is led by two people. Dr. Nikila Sudheer is an Ayurvedic physician with 16 years of experience, managing director of the center, and the person who handles consultations and treatment planning. Jayesh Dhananjayan holds a master's degree in yoga and teaches Hatha and Ashtanga yoga, pranayama, and meditation. The combination means you get both medical-grade Ayurvedic care and structured yoga practice rather than a generic wellness offering.

A typical day starts with gentle yoga and pranayama, then a personalized Ayurvedic treatment such as Abhyanga (warm oil massage), Udwarthanam (herbal powder massage), or Swedana (herbal steam). Afternoons are given to interactive workshops covering the Doshas, Dinacharya (daily routines), and food-as-medicine principles. Evenings close with mindfulness and journaling sessions. There is no pressure to do anything beyond the scheduled program — some guests spend free time resting or walking into town.

The one full-day excursion takes you to nearby temples, an Ayurveda heritage center, and the Kerala backwaters. The retreat also includes a trip to the center's own medicine factory, which guests have found genuinely interesting. While the surroundings are not lush gardens, guests consistently mention the local community, the temple atmosphere, and the simple, wholesome food as highlights.

What's included

- 10 nights accommodation in a private room - Ayurvedic breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening snacks - Herbal drinking water - Daily morning yoga and pranayama sessions - Daily personalized Ayurvedic treatment (Abhyanga, Udwarthanam, Swedana, Shirodhara or similar) - Body constitution (Prakrithi) analysis - Personalized Ayurvedic consultation - Evening meditation and journaling sessions - Interactive Ayurveda workshops (Dosha theory, Dinacharya, Ahara, etc.) - One-day excursion to temple, Ayurveda Heritage Center, and backwaters - Yoga mat and materials - All taxes

What's not included

- Airfare - Travel insurance - Airport transfers (available for €37 per person) - Optional backwater cruise - Tips - Personal expenses