9-Day Ayurveda Yoga Wellness Retreat in Kerala, India

Ennakkathara Arya Vaidyasala sits on the outskirts of Kochi, in a quiet neighbourhood centred around the Chottanikkara Devi Temple. The temple's bells and chanting are audible from the centre, and many guests walk over for morning or evening rituals as part of their stay. The surrounding area is residential rather than resort-like, which keeps the week grounded in everyday Kerala life rather than a tourist bubble.

The retreat itself runs on a simple, repeating schedule. Each morning starts with about 90 minutes of yoga—asanas, pranayama, and some kriyas—before a vegetarian breakfast. Mid-morning is reserved for a short class on Ayurveda basics: you'll learn your dosha (body constitution) and get personalised dietary and lifestyle recommendations from Dr. Nikila. Then comes the day's main treatment, usually Abhyanga, which lasts an hour or so and includes a steam bath. Afternoons are free; some guests nap, some read, some walk into town. Evenings close with a meditation session and a light dinner.

The treatments are genuine Ayurveda, not spa services with an Ayurvedic label. The centre manufactures its own medicines on site, and you can tour the facility to see how oils and herbal preparations are made. Dr. Nikila conducts a consultation on arrival and adjusts your treatment plan based on what she finds—this isn't a one-size-fits-all programme.

One day is set aside for excursions: a visit to the temple (with a guide who explains the rituals), a tour of the medicine-manufacturing unit, and an optional backwater cruise about 30 minutes away. The cruise costs extra but gives you a couple of hours drifting through Kerala's famous canals.

The centre is small—maximum ten guests at a time—so you're not competing for treatment slots or eating in a crowded dining hall. Staff are friendly and attentive; several reviews mention the kitchen team by name. If you're looking for a week of quiet, structured self-care in an authentic setting rather than a polished wellness resort, this is a good fit.

What's included

- 8 nights accommodation in private room - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, coffee, and herbal drinks throughout the day - Daily morning yoga session (asanas and pranayama) - Daily evening meditation session - Daily class on Ayurveda and yoga philosophy - Daily Abhyanga treatment (full-body oil massage with steam bath) - Personalised Ayurveda consultation and dosha analysis - Dietary and lifestyle recommendations - Guided visit to Chottanikkara Devi Temple - Tour of Ayurveda medicine manufacturing unit - Backwater excursion (one day) - Yoga mat and accessories

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers (available for €36 per person return) - Additional Ayurveda treatments beyond the daily Abhyanga - Optional activities not listed in the itinerary - Special tours - Personal expenses