5-Day Ayurvedic Wellness Retreat in Kerala: Reset Your Nervous System

The retreat runs for five days and five nights, with a structure that leaves plenty of room to breathe. Mornings start with yoga at 8:30am, led to suit your level and needs. After breakfast, you’ll have your Ayurvedic treatments — either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the therapist’s schedule and what else is planned. Lunch is around 1:30pm, dinner around 7pm, and evenings are yours: sit by the pool, take a short walk, or join the other guests for conversation.

The fifteen treatments included in the package are the core of the week. They include Sarvaanga Abhyanga, a 60-minute full-body massage with herbal oils; Swedana, a 15-minute herbal steam to draw out toxins; Nasya Karma, a 20-minute nasal cleansing; Podikizhi, a 60-minute massage using herbal poultices; Shirodhara, 30 minutes of warm oil poured steadily across the forehead; and Kati Vasti, a 30-minute therapy for the lower back. These are not add-on spa treatments — they are a sequenced program, the traditional Kerala way of resetting the body.

Two cultural excursions are woven into the week. A canoe crossing takes you to Mohanan’s Tea Shop for afternoon tea, and a sunset temple tour ends with a Pushpanjali blessing. You’ll also get a cooking class with the chef, where you learn the basics of Kerala cuisine. If you want to explore further on your own, the nearby town of Malabar is a short walk away, and the famous backwaters are within easy reach.

The property itself is a low-key boutique house with a pool that guests consistently rate as one of the best in Kerala. It is run by Don van de Pol, a psychologist and business coach, and his wife Mini, who own and operate the place with a small, attentive team. The chef in particular gets frequent praise in reviews for tailoring meals to dietary needs with a smile. This is a retreat for people who want genuine Ayurvedic treatment and peace, not a glossy wellness resort experience.

What's included

- Airport pickup and drop-off - 5 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Cooking class - Free excursions to sites of interest - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Parking - Luggage storage - WiFi connection - 15 therapeutic Ayurvedic treatments as per itinerary

What's not included

- Flights costs - Visa fee - Travel insurance - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments