India Wellness Retreat

Today you'll fly from Australia (or New Zealand) to Cochin, India. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a representative at the airport who will transfer you to your hotel where you may enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Cochin, also known as Kochi, is popularly referred to as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” and is the oldest European settlement in India. Surrounded by backwaters, this city has always managed to attract voyagers to travel to the state of Kerala. Cochin is one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times.

One of the most interesting towns in South India, its cosmopolitan character is reflected in its low-rise picturesque buildings and structures. The city of Kochi perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala and is a prime tourist destination and commercial hub.

Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on Day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the day before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documents at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

Overnight: Cochin (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: In-Flight

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, you'll take a city tour of Cochin.

Your tour begins by visiting the Dutch Palace which, despite its name, was built by the Portuguese. It's known for its murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics, as well as dresses and palanquins used by Cochin's erstwhile rulers. You'll then visit the Koonan Kurishu Shrine and a Jewish Synagogue, boasting several copper plates inscribed in Hebrew script. The tour continues to Fort Kochi and St Francis Church, the oldest church to be constructed by Europeans in India. Not to be missed is the Santa Cruz Basilica with its beautifully painted ceiling.

Following the morning tour, you'll depart for Alleppey on an approximately 50-kilometre journey. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your air-conditioned houseboat and enjoy a cruise on tranquil backwaters. Eat lunch onboard as you take in the relaxing atmosphere, bask on the sun deck and enjoy the experience on these majestic live-in boats with delicious Kerala-style food.

Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty with the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers crossing the area. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre and is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

Overnight: AC Houseboat, Alleppey

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy breakfast onboard as you cruise the backwaters before disembarking and departing to Kovalam.

Upon arrival, check into the wellness accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at the retreat. You'll have a consultation with the available consultants, doctors and therapists at the retreat to plan the next few days. The wellness plans on offer are:

Destress Program
Given the many factors that induce stress in fast-paced urban city life, the program is designed to provide a calming experience to reduce stress. Through a combination of therapeutic Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, meditation, and lifestyle-reforming activities, an integrated approach to mental health promises to restore health and tranquillity.

Immunity Booster Program
The Immunity Program aims to enhance the body’s natural immune response by the correction of digestive mechanisms and the removal of toxins through a detoxification process. This program includes synchronised Ayurvedic body treatments with the administration of herbal medicines, therapeutic yoga sessions, a curated Ayurvedic diet plan, and wellness and lifestyle reforming activities.

Anti-Ageing Rejuvenation Program
The Anti-Aging and Rejuvenation Program, also known as Rasayana, is intended to limit degenerative changes, allowing for graceful aging. Ayurvedic treatments and Rasayana Oushadha (internal medicines), along with yoga and meditation can help slow the ageing process naturally. This program aims to revitalise the body’s natural immune systems through detoxifying therapies and stress management techniques

Body Immunisation Program
This is to enhance and preserve your natural immunity with basic purification, various types of body massage, Snehana, Swedana, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, Sirodhara, Podikizhi, Sirovasihy, Nasyam and bathing. Special herbal medicines will be provided for internal use to improve the functions of the immune system.

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Today marks the official start of your wellness retreat which continues over the next 6 days.

The general itinerary for your wellness days will follow this schedule:
General yoga session
Reflexology
Breakfast
Therapies and treatment
Lunch
Treatments
High tea
Evening activities
Meditation and pranayama
Dinner
Relax and sleep

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Take this day to relax, rejuvenate and embrace the tranquility of your wellness retreat.

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at the resort this morning before departing for Cochin. On arrival, check into the hotel and either enjoy the day at leisure or take one (or both) of the optional tours.

Optional Activity: Heritage Walk Through Fort Kochi Old Quarter
This walking tour gives you a glimpse into Cochin’s rich history and heritage, showcasing the mixed Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish influences that make the city unique. During the tour, you will visit the old quarter of Fort Kochi, exploring the quaint streets of this city on foot. You will also visit Fort Kochi’s seaside promenade and get a glimpse of daily life in Kochi. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Cochin (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

This morning, enjoy breakfast at leisure in the hotel. At the appropriate time, you will then be transferred to Cochin airport to board your flight back home to Australia (or New Zealand).

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Meals included: None

Today you'll fly from Australia (or New Zealand) to Cochin, India. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a representative at the airport who will transfer you to your hotel where you may enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Cochin, also known as Kochi, is popularly referred to as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” and is the oldest European settlement in India. Surrounded by backwaters, this city has always managed to attract voyagers to travel to the state of Kerala. Cochin is one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times.

One of the most interesting towns in South India, its cosmopolitan character is reflected in its low-rise picturesque buildings and structures. The city of Kochi perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala and is a prime tourist destination and commercial hub.

Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on Day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the day before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documents at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

Overnight: Cochin (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: In-Flight

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, you'll take a city tour of Cochin.

Your tour begins by visiting the Dutch Palace which, despite its name, was built by the Portuguese. It's known for its murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics, as well as dresses and palanquins used by Cochin's erstwhile rulers. You'll then visit the Koonan Kurishu Shrine and a Jewish Synagogue, boasting several copper plates inscribed in Hebrew script. The tour continues to Fort Kochi and St Francis Church, the oldest church to be constructed by Europeans in India. Not to be missed is the Santa Cruz Basilica with its beautifully painted ceiling.

Following the morning tour, you'll depart for Alleppey on an approximately 50-kilometre journey. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your air-conditioned houseboat and enjoy a cruise on tranquil backwaters. Eat lunch onboard as you take in the relaxing atmosphere, bask on the sun deck and enjoy the experience on these majestic live-in boats with delicious Kerala-style food.

Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty with the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers crossing the area. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre and is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

Overnight: AC Houseboat , Alleppey

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy breakfast onboard as you cruise the backwaters before disembarking and departing to Kovalam.

Upon arrival, check into the wellness accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at the retreat. You'll have a consultation with the available consultants, doctors and therapists at the retreat to plan the next few days. The wellness plans on offer are:

Destress Program
Given the many factors that induce stress in fast-paced urban city life, the program is designed to provide a calming experience to reduce stress. Through a combination of therapeutic Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, meditation, and lifestyle-reforming activities, an integrated approach to mental health promises to restore health and tranquillity.

Immunity Booster Program
The Immunity Program aims to enhance the body’s natural immune response by the correction of digestive mechanisms and the removal of toxins through a detoxification process. This program includes synchronised Ayurvedic body treatments with the administration of herbal medicines, therapeutic yoga sessions, a curated Ayurvedic diet plan, and wellness and lifestyle reforming activities.

Anti-Ageing Rejuvenation Program
The Anti-Aging and Rejuvenation Program, also known as Rasayana, is intended to limit degenerative changes, allowing for graceful aging. Ayurvedic treatments and Rasayana Oushadha (internal medicines), along with yoga and meditation can help slow the ageing process naturally. This program aims to revitalise the body’s natural immune systems through detoxifying therapies and stress management techniques

Body Immunisation Program
This is to enhance and preserve your natural immunity with basic purification, various types of body massage, Snehana, Swedana, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, Sirodhara, Podikizhi, Sirovasihy, Nasyam and bathing. Special herbal medicines will be provided for internal use to improve the functions of the immune system.

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Today marks the official start of your wellness retreat which continues over the next 6 days.

The general itinerary for your wellness days will follow this schedule:
General yoga session
Reflexology
Breakfast
Therapies and treatment
Lunch
Treatments
High tea
Evening activities
Meditation and pranayama
Dinner
Relax and sleep

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Take this day to relax, rejuvenate and embrace the tranquility of your wellness retreat.

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Kovalam Retreat (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel before being transferred to Thiruvananthapuram airport to fly to Delhi, India.

As the capital of India, Delhi is a major gateway city for international visitors. The area is a fascinating metropolis offering an intriguing mix of ancient sites and modern wonders while also serving as the headquarters of Indian politics. Many of the heads of the Indian government and other political parties reside in the city, including the Prime Minister and President of India.

This afternoon you'll take a city tour of Old and New Delhi. our tour begins in Chandni Chowk, the main street of Old Delhi that boasts the famous colourful shopping bazaar where you'll enjoy a rickshaw ride through the marketplace. You'll then drive past Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort which Mughal Emperor Shahjahan made. Visit New Delhi to see the Laxmi Narayan Temple, dedicated to Lakshmi who is the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. Afterwards, you'll travel to India Gate which is a 42-metre-high stone of triumph and war memorial. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WWI. You'll then drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan which is the official residence of the President of India and has an interesting blend of Mughal and Western architectural styles.

Following the tour, return to the hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Delhi (Premium or Luxury option)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, you'll depart for Jaipur where you can check into the hotel upon arrival.

Jaipur, the picturesque capital of Rajasthan, is famously painted pink to symbolise hospitality in Rajput culture. Together with Agra and Delhi, it forms the Golden Triangle of India's tourist circuit. Jaipur is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, fighting for the honour of your clan has never been a need but a way of life and treating guests as gods has been a tradition for centuries.

There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colourful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. You'll also find beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvellous heritage buildings. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that make your trip to the pink city a memorable one.

In the evening, enjoy a brief orientation tour of the city and a demonstration of sari and Indian costumes. There is an optional activity this evening if you wish to partake.

Optional Activity: Cooking Demonstration Experience & Dinner
Make your day a special one by participating in a cooking demonstration to learn the secrets of authentic Rajasthani cooking in an informative and fun way. Experience cooking traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes while getting an idea about the different spices used to make the dishes more delicious and rich. The royal household of Jaipur is known for many succulent recipes and kitchen secrets that have been handed down from one generation to another over centuries. Your local chef will try to provide the maximum possible cooking techniques and secrets in the shortest time while allowing you to enjoy the dishes with their delightful families. A must for cooking enthusiasts, you are sure to learn some absolutely mouth-watering tips and tricks to cooking up a storm. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Jaipur (Premium or Luxury option)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Your tour begins with a morning excursion to Amber Fort which is located 11 kilometres from Jaipu. It was the old fort of the Kachwaha clan of Amber and is a beautiful sight to behold as the fort is built with white marble and red sandstone. It looks even more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground.

Optional Activity: City Tour To Hawa Mahal, City Palace & Jantar Mantar
Take part in an afternoon city tour visiting the Hawa Mahal, or 'Palace of the Winds', which was constructed for the royal ladies to watch royal processions without being seen. You'll also have the chance to discover Jantar Mantar, the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh, and visit the City Palace, the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Jaipur (Premium or Luxury option)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, you'll depart for Agra on a 250-kilometre journey. You'll stop en route, visiting the Chand Baori Step Well which is located opposite a temple known as Harshat Mata Temple. It is believed that the Chand Baori Step Well has a religious connection and that’s the reason it was built in front of the temple. Upon arrival in Agra, you can check in at your hotel.

Agra is the quintessential Mughal City where the world marvels at the epitome of love, beauty and sacrifice. It's also home to the Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. So overwhelming is the magic monument that Agra has been immortalised, as the City of the Taj. Discover the timeless beauty and rich history of this ancient city, home to the magnificent Taj Mahal and an array of captivating Mughal-era landmarks

Later you'll enjoy visiting Agra Fort (Red Fort), a fascinating sight that showcases a high level of ornamentation with the Kohinoor diamond reportedly part of the furnishings. The fort’s artwork mixes Persian, European and Indian art, resulting in a unique Shahjahani style rich in form, expression and colour. The Red Fort is one of the building complexes of India encapsulating a long period of history, art and innovative architectural style including its garden design which influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi. In 2007, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Red Fort Complex.

End the day back at your hotel to relax or take an optional tour of the Baby Taj.

Optional Activity: Visit Baby Taj & Mehtab Bagh
Head to the landmark mausoleum of Itmad ud Daulah, known as “the Baby Taj”. Marvel at the intricately carved marble monument, conceived before the Taj Mahal and considered the blueprint for its design. You'll then continue to Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) and sip a drink as the sun sets over the Taj Mahal. This optional tour includes transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide and entrance fees.

Overnight: Agra (Premium or Luxury option)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, just after sunrise, you'll visit the Taj Mahal at approximately 06:00 before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the mausoleum just after breakfast at 09:00. The world-famous Taj Mahal is where you'll see the undeniable beauty of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, to be built in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and the principal mausoleum was completed in 1643, the surrounding buildings and garden were finished about five years later.

Afterwards, enjoy the city of Agra at leisure or take part in the below optional activity.

Optional Activity: Food Trail Tour
Embark on a heritage walk through hidden lanes and bustling markets to visit an array of local eateries. Meet the people behind some of the city’s most famous snacks, sample traditional foods such as paratha and savour chai served in a traditional clay cup. You'll also have the chance to taste Agra’s famous sweet petha, originally prepared more than 350 years ago in the royal kitchens of Shah Jahan. This sugary white pumpkin sweet comes in a variety of flavours having adapted to consumers' changing tastes. This optional tour includes transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and a selection of snacks and chai. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Agra (Premium or Luxury option)

Meals included: Breakfast

Begin the day with breakfast and a walking tour to see the rural life in a local village.

This afternoon, you'll be transferred to the railway station to take the high-speed Vande Bharata Express train to Delhi with dinner onboard. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to the hotel with check-in assistance.

Overnight: Delhi (Premium or Luxury Option)

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Following breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time to take your flight back home.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Meals included: None