Quick answer: Choose your program first, then plan travel around it. Most Lifed programs in Kerala are reached through Cochin International Airport (Kochi), with Kozhikode (Calicut) serving Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram serving Kollam. Apply for any visa only through the official Indian government e-Visa website, give yourself a buffer night on arrival, and confirm whether your program includes an airport pickup.
Kerala has drawn international travellers for Ayurveda and yoga for decades. The UK, US, Germany and France are among its largest sources of overseas visitors (Kerala Tourism Statistics 2025). The trips that go well usually have one thing in common: the guest chose the program before they booked the flight.
This guide walks through the order we recommend, from choosing a program to packing your bag.
Step 1: Choose the program, then the dates
Your program decides your airport, your transfer, the length of your trip and what you pack. Decide three things first:
- What you want the time to do: rest properly, move well again, learn a practice, or a mix.
- The format: residential (stay and meals included) or a day program you attend from your own accommodation.
- The length: a single session, a short 2 to 5 day program, 7 days, or 14 days for traditional Panchakarma.
If you are still deciding, start with our guide on how to choose a wellness retreat in Kerala.
Flexible or fixed dates? Many Kerala residential programs on Lifed let you "start any day", subject to availability. That makes it easier to fit flights around the program. Fixed-date programs start on set days, so book flights only after your place is confirmed.
Step 2: Pick the right time of year
| Period | What to expect | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| October to November | Post-monsoon, green landscapes, occasional rain | Quieter than peak; good availability |
| December to February | Dry, pleasant days; peak season for overseas visitors | Book early; residential places fill |
| March to May | Hotter and more humid, especially on the coast | Hill areas like Wayanad and Munnar feel cooler |
| June to September | Southwest monsoon; heavy rain | Many Ayurveda centres treat the monsoon as a traditional season for Ayurvedic programs |
Foreign visits to Kerala peak from December to February (Kerala Tourism Statistics), so if you want those months, book your program well ahead.
Step 3: Choose your airport
Kerala has four international airports. Fly into the one closest to your program.
| Airport | Code | Lifed programs it serves | Distance to venue (as stated on program pages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cochin International Airport, Kochi | COK | Fort Kochi and Kochi programs; Ernakulam; Munnar and Fort Kochi yoga program; Thrissur | About 45 km to Fort Kochi; about 35 km to Kodanad and 43 km to the Thattekkad-area venue (both Ernakulam district) |
| Calicut International Airport, Kozhikode | CCJ | Wayanad programs | About 90 to 120 km depending on venue |
| Trivandrum International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram | TRV | Kollam programs | About 70 km |
| Kannur International Airport | CNN | Not currently used by Lifed programs | Not applicable |
Many travellers from Europe and North America connect through Gulf or other Asian hubs. Routes and schedules change, so check your airline's current status before booking
Step 4: Plan your transfer
Some programs include an airport pickup. Others ask you to arrange your own transfer. Check the program page.
| Program (examples) | Transfer |
|---|---|
| 7-day Ayurvedic stay and 14-day Panchakarma stay, Fort Kochi | Airport pickup included |
| 7-day yoga and culture program, Munnar and Fort Kochi | Pickup included; internal transfers included |
| 7-day Ayurvedic reset, Wayanad | Self-arranged |
| 7-day Kalari and yoga program, Wayanad | Self-arranged |
| Kollam Ayurvedic programs | Self-arranged |
Wayanad is a hill district, and the drive from Kozhikode takes several hours on winding roads. If you land late at night, a buffer night near the airport is usually more restful than a long night drive. For self-arranged transfers, prepaid airport taxis and app-based cabs operate at Kerala's main airports.
Step 5: Check visa and entry requirements
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time, so we do not list them here as fixed facts.
- Apply only through the official Government of India e-Visa site: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. Indian embassies warn travellers against unofficial sites that look similar (Embassy of India, Washington DC).
- India's e-Visa has several categories, including Tourist and Ayush. Choose the one that matches the purpose of your trip, and read the official guidance for each.
- The embassy notes that your passport should have at least six months' validity from the date of arrival and at least two blank pages.
- Check that your arrival airport is listed as an e-Visa port of entry on the official site.
Lifed cannot advise on visa eligibility. If you are unsure, contact the Indian embassy or consulate in your country.
Step 6: Book and pay
On Lifed, you book and pay online on the program page. Payment is taken at the time of booking, and the price shown is the price paid: it includes applicable taxes and there is no separate booking fee. Prices are shown in Indian rupees.
- Lifed accepts UPI, credit and debit cards, net banking, supported wallets and eligible international cards (payment terms).
- If you pay in another currency, the conversion rate applied by Lifed's payment partner is shown before you confirm. Your own bank may still charge a foreign transaction fee.
- Your booking exists only once Lifed sends a booking confirmation. A bank debit or a message from the host is not confirmation.
- Want different dates, a longer or shorter stay, or a private format? Lifed can customise many programs on request through WhatsApp at +91 85901 22187.
- Read the cancellation terms before paying. Costs you book separately, such as flights, visas and insurance, are not refundable through Lifed.
Step 7: Prepare your health and insurance
Programs on Lifed are non-clinical wellbeing experiences, not medical treatment. Before a residential trip:
- If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or take regular medication, speak to your own doctor before booking.
- For Ayurvedic programs, share your health history with the host when asked. Some hosts' physicians review suitability before you arrive.
- Lifed's participation terms require medical insurance for international participants, and strongly recommend travel and medical insurance for every residential booking.
- You will be asked to declare relevant health conditions, pregnancy, allergies, medication and dietary needs honestly before you attend.
- Check routine travel health advice for India with your own health service or travel clinic.
Step 8: Know what daily life on a program feels like
Meals. Ayurvedic programs usually serve vegetarian food prepared to Ayurvedic principles. Some offer vegan options. Tell your host about allergies before you arrive.
Language. Sessions on Lifed programs are commonly run in English, with Malayalam and sometimes Hindi or Tamil. Each program page lists its languages.
Rhythm. Days on residential programs often start early, around 5:30 to 6:30 am, with yoga or quiet time before breakfast, therapies or sessions through the day, and an early night.
Connectivity. Some programs build in device-free time. Wi-Fi and mobile signal can be patchy in hill and riverside settings.
Privacy. On Lifed, the exact venue address is shared after your booking is confirmed.
Step 9: Pack for the program, not just the beach
- Loose, breathable clothes for yoga and movement, and modest clothes for temple or village visits
- A light rain layer, even outside the monsoon
- A warm layer for early mornings in Wayanad or Munnar
- Comfortable sandals you can slip off easily
- Old underwear and clothes you do not mind staining, if your program includes oil-based therapies
- Insect repellent and sun protection
- Any regular medication in its original packaging, with a copy of the prescription
- A universal plug adapter (India mainly uses Type C, D and M sockets at 230 V)
Money, phone and connectivity on the ground
- Cash and cards. Cards are widely accepted in cities and at larger venues. Carry some cash for small shops, tips and rural areas.
- Mobile data. An Indian SIM or eSIM is useful for maps and messaging with your host. Bring your passport and visa for SIM registration.
- Messaging your host. You can message the host from the program page on Lifed before and after booking. Lifed support is on support@lifedhealth.com and WhatsApp +91 85901 22187, and replies within one working day.
- Time zone. India runs on Indian Standard Time, UTC+5:30, all year.
Step 10: Build a buffer around the program
- Arrive a day early if you have a long-haul flight. Jet lag and a full program are a hard mix.
- Keep the first evening after a residential program free. You may not want to go straight back to busy streets.
- If you want sightseeing, put it before the program. Many guests prefer to leave quietly once it ends.
A sample 10-day plan
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Land at Cochin International Airport. Rest night in Fort Kochi. |
| 2 | Pickup or transfer to your program. Arrival and consultation. |
| 3 to 8 | 7-day residential program |
| 9 | Program ends. Slow day in Fort Kochi. |
| 10 | Fly home |
For a Panchakarma stay, plan for 14 days plus buffer days on either side. Your host's physician may also give guidance on rest and diet for the days after the program.
Current Kerala programs that suit international travellers
| Program | Location | Length | Transfer | Price shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day Ayurvedic stay, The Sacred Lotus | Fort Kochi | 7 days | Pickup included | From ₹1,80,000 |
| 14-day Panchakarma stay, The Sacred Lotus | Fort Kochi | 14 days | Pickup included | ₹3,60,000 |
| 7-day yoga and culture program, Vaigayi | Munnar and Fort Kochi | 7 days, 6 nights | Pickup included | From ₹83,000 |
| 7-day Ayurvedic reset, Vaigayi | Wayanad | 7 days | Self-arranged | From ₹62,900 |
| 14-day Panchakarma stay, Aswanimadom | Kollam | 14 days | Self-arranged | From ₹1,68,000 (accommodation charged separately) |
| 3-day women's birdwatching, Ayurveda and yoga program, Munkudil Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat | Near Thattekkad, 43 km from COK | 3 days, 2 nights, women only | Self-arranged | From ₹53,500 |
| 28-day Kalaripayattu and Kalari Uzhichil program, Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation | Wayanad, 90 km from CCJ | 28 days | Self-arranged | ₹89,250 |
Already in Kerala for a few days? Try a day program such as the Ayurvedic deep relaxation session in Fort Kochi or the 3-hour Kalari Uzhichil in Thrissur.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for a wellness retreat in Kerala?
For Kochi and Fort Kochi programs, fly into Cochin International Airport (COK). For Wayanad, the nearest is Calicut International Airport (CCJ). For Kollam, use Trivandrum International Airport (TRV).
Do I need a visa to attend a wellness program in India?
Most foreign nationals need a visa. Check your requirements and apply only on the official site, indianvisaonline.gov.in. Choose the e-Visa category that matches the purpose of your trip.
Can I pay for a Lifed program with an international card?
Yes. Lifed accepts eligible international cards, along with UPI, Indian cards, net banking and supported wallets. Prices are shown in Indian rupees and include applicable taxes. If you pay in another currency, the conversion rate is shown before you confirm.
When is the best time to go to Kerala for Ayurveda?
December to February is dry and popular. October, November and March are quieter. Many Ayurveda centres also consider the monsoon a traditional season for Ayurvedic programs.
Can solo travellers book?
Yes. Most Lifed programs welcome individuals, and some are designed for small groups. Group sizes are listed on each program page.
What should I pack?
Loose clothes for practice, modest clothes for cultural visits, a rain layer, a warm layer for the hills, clothes you do not mind getting oily, and any regular medication.
How far is Wayanad from Kochi?
Wayanad is in northern Kerala and is usually reached from Kozhikode rather than Kochi. Allow most of a day if you travel from Kochi by road.
Start with the program. Explore Kerala programs on Lifed.
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