Kerala yoga trip with a week of yoga and Ayurveda retreat in Varkala at the start of 2026

Yoga & Ayurveda Reisen

Yoga Reisen
Ayurveda Retreats

overview

For the perfect start to the new year, we have developed a very special yoga trip through Kerala for you. In the first one, you will go on a round trip to the most beautiful places in Kerala with German-speaking tour guide and yoga teacher Noor: you will explore the small harbor town of Fort Kochi by rickshaw, relax in the luxury camp in Thattekad, hike through tea and spices in Munnar, as well as in Perijar National Park and go on a kayak tour through the backwaters.

On this round trip, you can expect particularly beautiful accommodation surrounded by nature and perfect for a daily yoga class with Noor. You will be spoiled with delicious fresh dishes from the Kerala cuisine in all the accommodation.

In the second part of the trip, Noor takes you to Varkala Beach. Here you will stay at the nice (somewhat simpler) Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort for an intensive one-week yoga asana retreat with a mini Ayurveda cure. There will be two yoga asana sessions from Iyengar Yoga every day, as well as a total of 5 Ayurveda treatments and a medical consultation. There will also be three workshops on yoga philosophy, meditation and asana practice. In between there will be time for relaxation.

Program

Day 1 (Saturday) Departure from Germany

Independent arrival in India by plane from Germany, transfer to accommodation. Hotel Dutch Bungalow

Day 2 (Sunday) Arrival in Cochin/Kerala

You will probably not arrive until the early hours of the morning. The transfer will take you to your accommodation

After some rest, we will explore the small Portuguese-influenced old town and end the day with a first arrival yoga class. Hotel (F/-/-)

Day 3 (Monday) Drive to Thattekad, 2 hours

A tranquil drive to the Thattekad bird reserve takes you to the wonderful Murmur Camp directly on the Perijar River. During the drive, you will see rubber and pineapple plantations. Enjoy nature in the camp after a wonderful lunch before yoga and a bird tour. A short kayak tour is also available as an option. Accommodation Murmur Camp (F/M/A)

Day 4 (Tuesday) Drive to Munnar, 2 hours

After yoga and breakfast, we set off on the two-hour drive up into the Westhgaths to Munnar, where we visit the tea museum and market before moving into our accommodation in the middle of the beautiful countryside. Hotel Elephant Passage (F/-/A)

Day 5 (Wednesday) Hike through the tea and spice plantations

Today we enjoy a day hike and at the same time learn a lot about the tea growing and the different spices. Everything grows here: from cardamom, to cloves and pepper to cocoa beans.

Even today we end the day with a yoga class. (F/M/A)

Day 6 (Thursday) Thekkadey 4 hours

We drive four hours to our next destination, Thekkadey. After the yoga class, you will spend the evening with a cooking class. Hotel Treetop (F/-/A)

Day 7 (Friday) Hike through the Perijar National Park with a short raft tour

In Perijar National Park, you will spend the day on a hike and raft tour and, with a bit of luck, we will spot elephants in the wild. Yoga in the morning or evening. If you like, you can also watch a Kathakali show (traditional dance art) or Kareli performance (traditional martial arts). (F/-/A)

Day 8 (Saturday) Drive to Allepey in the backwaters 4 hours

After a morning yoga class, head back towards the coast. Allepey is a wonderful place to stay in the middle of the backwaters. Look forward to an interesting evening walk and a great dinner. Accommodation Emerald Isle (F/-/A)

Day 9 (Sunday) Kayak tour

There is no better way to experience the canal system of the backwaters than from a kayak. The guided tour takes you through small canals, allowing you to experience the life of the local people up close. Yoga in the evening or morning.

Day 10 (Monday) Transfer to Varakala 5 hours

Today you drive along the coast to Varakala beach. Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort. Today you start your intensive yoga retreat with Ayurveda (F/M/A)

Day 11-15 (Tuesday-Saturday) Yoga Ayurveda Retreat

5 intensive days of yoga and Ayurveda. On the first day you will all have a consultation with the Ayurveda doctor and a full body massage. Over the next four days, the treatments will be tailored to your individual needs. (F/M/A)

Day 16 Departure with transfer to Trivandrum Airport (1 hour)

Day of departure

Included services

10 days round trip through Kerala

all overnight stays in a double room with half board
daily yoga lessons
complete transfer
all mentioned activities and excursions with entrance fees

6-day yoga and Ayurveda retreat

Yogic full board
2 x daily yoga
1 x Ayurveda doctor consultation
5 Ayurveda treatments
6 nights in a double room

~~Visa~~
~~International flight~~
~~unmentioned meals (F/M/A)~~
~~Kathakali and Kaleri demonstrations~~

Highlights

Prices and dates

January 03-18, 2026

from 4 participants: 2550 €

from 6 participants: 2350 €

from 8 participants: 2200 €

+ 550 € single room supplement

Alternatively, you can take part in the round trip only (€1550 + €450 single room) or the retreat (€1000 + €100 single room).

Travel Info

requirements

Yoga and Ayurveda vacations for everyone! The requirements of the yoga classes are adapted to the level of the participants – whether beginner or advanced.

additional Information

yoga teacher

Over the past 13 years, Noor has trained extensively in Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga as well as classical ballet, modern contemporary artistic dance and classical jazz dance.
He has passed on his expertise to around a thousand students of all ages and regularly leads sessions at yoga retreats across India. Working with practitioners, teachers, choreographers and artists around the world, he has developed a deep passion for interdisciplinary exchange.
He studies with his teachers Usha Devi and Angelo Cecci in Rishikesh for three months every year.

The Resort

The 6-day intensive yoga and Ayurveda program takes place in a very simple building. The rooms are very simply furnished and convey the authentic feeling of India. You will meet other yoga practitioners from all over the world, which makes it an ideal place to immerse yourself in the world of yoga. You practise Indian classical yoga twice a day, influenced by the principles of the Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga styles, with an Ayurveda treatment every day. The famous Varkala coast is 200 meters away from our accommodation, which is located in a quiet area with coconut trees everywhere. There are several beautiful hiking trails, temples and beaches in the area.

Yoga Lessons

Both during the round trip and during the Ayurveda retreat, yoga classes are offered regularly by the tour guide. The Yoga Shala is equipped with all the tools of Iyengar Yoga, which we use to better understand and work on body alignment. Each class lasts 90 minutes.

Yoga Workshops

We also meet three times for workshops. The theme of the workshops is yoga philosophy, meditation and asana practice.

Ayurveda Applications

1 Ayurveda doctor consultation
1 Abhyanga massage
4 Ayurveda treatments

To the region

Kerala is home to many Christians, so you can not only visit Hindu temples and mosques, but also visit many churches. In many places you almost feel like in southern Europe, because many Portuguese settled here during the colonial period and traded.

Climate

From November to March it is pleasantly warm and you only need light clothing. On most beaches of Kerala you can swim in normal swimwear. On beaches a little further out, it is advisable to wear a T-shirt. Women in particular often attract unwelcome glances from local and Indian tourists, as it is not common for women in India to show too much skin. From March, temperatures will rise and it will be humid, so you should sweat a lot and pay attention to your circulation. From June to the end of September is the rainy season and many seasonal accommodations and restaurants have closed. It rains quite heavily during this time.