9 Day Ayurveda & Yoga Wellness Retreat in Kerala, India

The Ennakkathara Arya Vaidyasala is a family-run Ayurveda center that has been operating since 1977, and it follows a strict, traditional approach to healing that goes back generations. This isn't a resort-style retreat; it's a working Ayurveda hospital and treatment center. The daily routine is structured around your Ayurvedic consultation, with treatments that are meant to address your specific imbalances. You'll be assigned a dosha-based diet and treatment plan, and the doctors and therapists closely monitor your progress throughout your stay.

Each day starts with a yoga session led by Jayesh, who holds a master's degree in yoga and is certified in Hatha and Ashtanga. He brings years of experience teaching internationally, and his classes are accessible to beginners while still offering depth for more experienced practitioners. After breakfast, you'll typically have your Ayurvedic treatment—often a full-body Abhyanga oil massage followed by a steam bath. These treatments are performed by skilled therapists and are a core part of the retreat.

Yoga philosophy and Ayurveda basics are taught in daily classes, so you leave with a real understanding of the principles behind the treatments, not just a series of massages. The schedule is balanced with time for rest, which is essential when you're doing detoxifying treatments. The food is strictly sattvic, vegetarian, and cooked fresh in their kitchen—simple Kerala dishes that are light yet nourishing, designed to support your treatment rather than to be a gourmet experience.

In addition to the therapeutic program, there are cultural experiences woven in. You'll take a guided trip to the Chottanikkara Devi Temple, which is a significant pilgrimage site, and you can visit the Ayurveda medicine manufacturing unit to see how traditional remedies are prepared. The Kerala backwaters are about 30 minutes away, offering a chance for a relaxing boat ride amidst the palm-fringed waterways.

What's included

- 8 nights accommodation - Daily sattvic vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) - Water, tea, coffee, and herbal drinks throughout the day - Daily morning and evening yoga sessions (asanas, pranayama, meditation) - Daily class on yoga philosophy and Ayurveda basics - Personalized Ayurveda consultation and body constitution (Prakrithi) analysis - Daily Abhyangam (rejuvenating massage) and steam bath - One day guided temple visit and Ayurveda medicine manufacturing unit trip - Recommendation for diet, yoga, and exercise based on your dosha - Yoga mat and accessories

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional treatments (beyond daily Abhyangam) - Additional activities not listed in the itinerary - Personal expenses - Airport transfers (available at extra cost)