Kerala Ayurveda Tour

Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and refreshing, begin exploring this historic port city in the afternoon. Visit the Dutch Palace Museum (also known as Mattancherry Palace), built by the Portuguese in 1555 and later renovated by the Dutch. Explore its excellent collection of murals depicting scenes from Hindu epics.

Continue to St. Francis Church, India’s oldest European church, where explorer Vasco da Gama was originally buried before his remains were relocated to Lisbon. Visit the Hill Palace Museum, once the royal residence of Kochi’s ruling family, followed by the 16th-century Jewish Synagogue with its hand-painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Stroll through the atmospheric Jewish Street with its antique shops before witnessing the iconic Chinese Fishing nets along the harbor—a legacy of traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Consider taking a short boat ride for the best views of these distinctive fishing structures silhouetted against the sunset. Overnight in Cochin.

After breakfast, begin your journey to Munnar, ascending into the cool Western Ghats mountains. The scenic drive offers continuous changes in landscape, from lowland villages to the Cardamom Hills with their spice plantations, and finally to the emerald tea estates that Munnar is famous for. Upon reaching this former British hill station situated at approximately 5,200 feet above sea level, check into your resort.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided trek through the surrounding tea plantations, where you’ll learn about the cultivation and processing of tea while enjoying panoramic mountain views. The crisp mountain air and verdant landscapes provide immediate rejuvenation after your journey. Overnight in Munnar.

Following breakfast, embark on a full day of exploring Munnar’s natural beauty. Begin at Echo Point, where sound waves reflect dramatically between the mountains. For those feeling adventurous, hike to a higher vantage point for spectacular panoramic views across the valley. Take time to relax beside natural streams formed by mountain waterfalls, capturing stunning photographs of this pristine landscape.

Continue to Mattupetty Dam, which not only generates hydroelectric power but creates a picturesque lake perfect for a tranquil boat ride. From the water, enjoy views of tea and coffee plantations cascading down surrounding slopes. Visit the nearby “Photo Point,” aptly named for its picture-perfect composition of woodlands, streams, mountains, and tea plantations.

Spend the afternoon exploring Eravikulam National Park, spanning 97 square kilometers of protected mountain terrain. The park is famous for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat), particularly in the Rajamalai region. Keep watch for other wildlife including langur monkeys, leopards, and Indian bison. From the park, you can view Anamudi Peak, South India’s highest mountain at 8,842 feet. If visiting during the rare blooming of Neelakurinji flowers (occurring once every 12 years), witness mountainsides transformed by carpets of blue blossoms.

End your day with a peaceful boat ride on Kundala Lake, where you might spot wild elephants coming to drink at the shoreline. Cruise past spice gardens as the setting sun casts a golden glow across the water. Overnight in Munnar.

After breakfast, drive through changing landscapes from tea plantations to dense forests and spice gardens as you descend to Thekkady, gateway to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take some time to relax.

In the afternoon, begin your exploration of Thekkady at Murikkady viewpoint, offering panoramic vistas of meadows, mountains, and streams with the aromatic scent of spices carried on the breeze. Continue to Cellar Kovil (also called Chellarkovil), a dramatic viewpoint on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border where you can see the stark contrast between the Western Ghats mountains and the plains of Tamil Nadu below.

Visit the historic Mangala Devi Temple, located deep within Periyar National Park. This ancient temple features beautiful Pandyan architecture and is steeped in local mythology that your guide will share. Afterward, enjoy a guided nature walk in the national park, observing its diverse ecosystem and birdlife. For adventure enthusiasts, optional bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake offers closer wildlife encounters. Keep watch for lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, elephants, and if lucky, leopards or Indian bison. Overnight in Thekkady.

After breakfast, journey toward Alleppey, known as the “Venice of the East” for its network of backwater canals. Upon arrival, transfer to your private traditional houseboat (kettuvallam). These rice barges have been converted into comfortable floating accommodations while retaining their traditional charm.

Embark on your backwater cruise, considered a highlight of any Kerala visit. As your captain navigates through a network of lakes, lagoons, and canals, observe rural Kerala life unfolding along the shores—farmers working in emerald paddy fields, women washing clothes, children playing, and birds soaring overhead. Your onboard chef will prepare authentic Kerala cuisine using fresh local ingredients, which you’ll enjoy on deck while watching the serene landscape pass by.

As evening approaches, witness a spectacular sunset over the palm-fringed waterways before retiring to your cabin for the night. The gentle rocking of the boat and natural sounds of the backwaters provide a uniquely peaceful overnight experience.

Wake to the gentle sounds of the backwaters and enjoy breakfast on deck before disembarking. Drive south to Kovalam, a beach destination renowned for its crescent shores and Ayurvedic wellness centers. Upon arrival, check into your beach resort or Ayurvedic retreat where you’ll spend the next week.

In the evening, enjoy your first stroll along Kovalam’s famous beaches—Lighthouse Beach with its distinctive red and white lighthouse, Samudra Beach, and Hawa Beach (Eve’s Beach). The golden sands and rhythmic waves of the Arabian Sea provide the perfect setting for your upcoming wellness retreat. Overnight in Kovalam.

For the next seven days, immerse yourself in the ancient healing tradition of Ayurveda. Your program begins with a consultation with a qualified Ayurvedic doctor who will determine your individual constitution (dosha) according to Ayurvedic principles and prescribe a personalized treatment plan.
Your daily program typically includes:
• Morning yoga and meditation sessions
• Specialized therapeutic treatments such as:
o Abhyanga (synchronized whole-body oil massage)
o Shirodhara (continuous flow of warm herbal oil on the forehead)
o Kizhi (herbal pouch massage)
o Pizhichil (warm oil bath)
o Udvartana (herbal powder massage)
• Healthy, balanced meals based on Ayurvedic principles
• Herbal medicines and tonics
• Evening relaxation techniques
Between treatments, take advantage of Kovalam’s natural beauty:
• Relax on the beaches and swim in designated areas
• Walk along the palm-fringed shore
• Visit nearby temples or the lighthouse
• Browse local markets for spices, handicrafts, and textiles
• Enjoy cultural performances in the evening
Each day brings renewed energy and balance as the cumulative effects of the treatments take hold. Your accommodations provide the perfect sanctuary for rest and reflection throughout this transformative week. Overnight in Kovalam.

After breakfast and a final morning of leisure, check out from your resort. Transfer to Trivandrum International Airport (approximately 16 km from Kovalam) for your departure flight, taking with you the benefits of your Ayurvedic experience and memories of Kerala’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.