Ayurveda & Yoga Wellness Week in Coastal Kerala

The retreat runs out of Ananda Marari Retreat, a traditional Kerala homestay that prioritizes privacy over resort-style bustle. You get your own air-conditioned room with ensuite bathroom, and the property accommodates a maximum of 20 guests at a time—so it never feels crowded.

Each morning starts at 6am with gentle cleansing rituals (tongue scraping, oil pulling, and the like), followed by a 60-minute yoga asana session. The practice happens outdoors when weather permits—sometimes on the lawn, sometimes closer to the beach. After breakfast, you have a three-hour window for Ayurvedic treatments: massage, herbal applications, and detox therapies tailored to your dosha after an initial consultation with Dr. Seetha Lekshmi, the resident Ayurvedic physician.

Lunch is the main meal—rice, dal, vegetables, and chutneys prepared according to Ayurvedic principles. Afternoons are unscheduled: nap, read, rent a bicycle, or walk into the village. At 5pm, everyone gathers for pranayama and meditation, then sunset walks along Cherai Beach before dinner.

The staff includes several experienced yoga teachers (Aman, Mukul, and Rashmi get named frequently in guest reviews), plus Swamiji and Murthy who lead workshops on Ayurvedic lifestyle and mantra chanting. The kitchen grows many of its own vegetables on adjacent farmland, which shows up in the freshness of the food.

Cherai itself is a quiet fishing village rather than a tourist hub. Dolphins pass through the waters regularly. Kochi city is about 30 kilometers away if you want to see Fort Kochi or the Chinese fishing nets on a free afternoon, but most guests stay put and enjoy the slower pace.

What's included

- Airport pickup from Cochin International Airport - 6 nights accommodation in private air-conditioned room - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga asana classes - Daily meditation sessions - Daily pranayama classes - 1-hour Ayurvedic treatment - 30-minute massage - Prakriti analysis (dosha consultation) - Specialized wellness workshops - Pre and post retreat support - Complimentary boat ride through backwaters - Free parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional Ayurvedic treatments beyond included sessions - Additional activities not listed in the itinerary - Personal expenses