A note on health
We are a travel company, so this page covers the travel side. Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine, and if you have a health condition, talk to your own doctor before you book, and keep taking any prescribed medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Why Kerala
Ayurveda is woven into daily life in Kerala, with long-established family practitioners, colleges and hospitals as well as resort spas. The climate, the herbs grown locally and the calm setting of the backwaters and beaches make it a natural place for a retreat.
Programmes range from a few days of massage and relaxation to traditional treatment courses, such as panchakarma, that take two or three weeks and include a strict daily routine and diet.
Planning an Ayurveda stay?
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Choosing a centre
Centres vary from luxury resorts with Ayurveda menus to traditional hospitals where treatment is the whole focus. Look for qualified doctors, clear information about the programme and diet, and accreditation where relevant. Ask how long the programme lasts, what is included and how often you will see the doctor.
Reviews from people with similar aims help, but be wary of centres promising cures.
Which visa
If you are travelling for a holiday that includes some spa treatments, a tourist visa or OCI card is the usual route. If the main purpose is treatment under Ayurveda or another Ayush system, India offers an Ayush visa for the patient and up to two attendants, which can be applied for as a paper visa or an e-visa, according to the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh.
For the Ayush visa, the centre must be accredited or registered with a relevant authority, and you will need to show the booking and a return ticket. Apply only through official channels.
Our tip: Ask the centre in writing which visa it expects you to travel on. It avoids problems at the visa stage.
Getting there
Kerala’s two main airports suit different areas.
| Airport | Best for | From the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Trivandrum (TRV) | Kovalam, Varkala and the south | One stop via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi |
| Kochi (COK) | The backwaters, Munnar and central Kerala | One stop via the Gulf |
When to go
Traditional Ayurveda texts favour the monsoon, from about June to September, when the cool, damp air is said to help the body respond to treatment, and many centres offer special monsoon programmes. Prices are often lower then too.
The dry season from November to February is the most popular for a holiday combined with treatment, with sunny days on the beaches.
Flights for a treatment stay
Treatment programmes sometimes need adjusting, so a fare that allows changes is sensible. Avoid planning a long drive or a busy schedule straight after a programme ends, as centres usually advise rest. Our flights to Trivandrum and flights to Kochi pages explain the routes.
Daily life on a programme
Expect an early start, yoga or gentle exercise, treatments in the morning, simple vegetarian meals and rest in the afternoon. Many programmes ask you to avoid alcohol, caffeine and late nights. It is less a holiday than a reset, and many people find that the routine is the point.
Combining with a Kerala holiday
Many visitors add a few days on a houseboat in the backwaters, in the tea hills of Munnar, or on the beach at Varkala before or after the programme. Our Kerala tour and yoga and meditation tour can be adapted around a retreat.
Insurance
Standard travel insurance may not cover planned treatment. Read the policy, declare any conditions, and look at specialist cover if needed. See our travel insurance guide.
What to pack
Loose, light cotton clothes, a few old items for oil treatments, sandals, a light rain jacket in the monsoon, and any regular medicines in their original packaging. Most centres provide treatment clothing, but ask.
Common treatments you may see
Programmes usually combine several therapies chosen by the doctor. Abhyanga is a full-body oil massage, shirodhara a steady stream of warm oil over the forehead, and njavarakizhi a massage with warm rice bundles. Panchakarma is a longer cleansing course with several stages and a strict diet.
The doctor will usually see you on arrival, ask about your health and lifestyle, and plan the programme around it, adjusting it during your stay.
Where the retreats are
Kovalam and Varkala, near Trivandrum, have many Ayurveda resorts close to the sea. The backwaters around Kumarakom and Alappuzha offer quiet, waterside settings, and the hills around Munnar and Wayanad suit those who want cooler air. Some of the most traditional centres are in smaller towns away from the tourist areas.
Choose the area first, then the airport. Kovalam and Varkala are closest to Trivandrum, while the backwaters and hills are easier from Kochi.
Travelling with a partner or a parent
Many people travel with a companion who joins some treatments or simply enjoys the setting. If a parent is going for treatment, a companion can travel on an Ayush attendant visa where the main purpose is treatment. Book wheelchair help on the flights if needed, and see our page on assisted travel for elderly passengers.
Questions people ask
Is Ayurveda suitable for a first visit to India?
Yes. Many first-time visitors start with a short programme at a resort and combine it with a Kerala holiday.
Can a companion come with me?
Yes. On an Ayush visa, up to two attendants can accompany the patient. On a holiday, a companion simply travels on their own visa or OCI.
What is panchakarma?
A traditional cleansing programme in several stages, usually lasting two or three weeks, with a strict diet and daily routine.
Is there a visa for Ayurveda treatment in India?
Yes, the Ayush visa, for treatment under Ayurveda and other Indian systems, with up to two attendants. For a holiday with some spa treatments, a tourist visa or OCI is usual.
Which airport is best for an Ayurveda retreat?
Trivandrum for Kovalam and Varkala, and Kochi for the backwaters and Munnar.
When is the best time for Ayurveda in Kerala?
Traditionally the monsoon, from about June to September. November to February is most popular for combining treatment with a beach holiday.
How long is an Ayurveda programme?
From a few days of relaxation to two or three weeks for traditional treatment courses.
Are there direct flights to Kerala?
No. Fly with one stop via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi to Kochi or Trivandrum.
Does travel insurance cover Ayurveda treatment?
Often not for planned treatment. Check the policy and consider specialist cover.
Should I talk to my doctor first?
Yes, if you have a health condition or take regular medicines.
