The best of the best wellness travel experiences in India
The global wellness tourism market was valued at $800 billion in 2020. Closer home, be it ayurvedic treatments in Kerala, religious-hued wellness retreats in Himachal or yoga packages-by-the -beach in Goa, foreign as well as domestic travellers are increasingly opting to travel to places that are promising holistic, restorative experiences.
If you’re struggling to decide between all the options that have popped up seemingly out of nowhere, let this list be a starting point for all your plans! Here are some of our favourite Wellness hotspots and why we love them.
A one-stop solution at Somatheeram Ayurveda and Wellness Resort, Kovalam
Credited as being the centre that pushed Ayurveda beyond the Indian borders, the Somatheeram Wellness Resort is so stunning that it probably would have made it to our list even without its impressive history. Located on a pristine strip of the Malabar beachline, none of us is surprised that it’s been consistently recognised as the best ayurvedic centre in Kerala for a decade straight.
Somatheeram has a team of doctors and professionals who specialise in treating chronic ailments through Ayurvedic techniques. The relief packages offered by the resort are so inclusive that you’re bound to find something you could use.
From body and back pain to stress symptoms to weight loss and weight gain courses, find a one-shot solution to all your niggling issues, set against a glorious coastal backdrop.
Transcendental meditation at Neeleshwar Hermitage, Kasaragod
The Neeleshwar Hermitage presents all its guests the chance to really let go of their twenty-first-century worries through the art of transcendental meditation.
Run free along the beaches of Northern Kerala without sparing a thought to the crowded cities you’ve left behind. The complimentary yoga sessions that the Hermitage offers are a great start to days that are packed with wellness activities and relaxed training sessions.
Swim in the open beaches next to the hermitage or go for dips in its world-class private pool. The extensive ayurvedic treatments and the property’s luxury spas add to the aura of comfort and satisfaction that every guest has a chance to revel in.
Rendezvous in the rainforests at Taj Madikeri Resort and Spa, Coorg
The Taj conglomerate is known for being at the top of its game, consistently delivering on luxury and comfort, and the Madikeri Resort and Spa in Coorg certainly lives up to that expectation.
The resort is tailor-made for those looking to disconnect from the outside world and focus on nourishing their inner selves. If this sounds like a lot of hyperbole to you, all it’ll take is a week’s stay to see exactly what we mean!
The property’s in-house naturalists make for the perfect company if you’re the kind who’d enjoy leisurely treks through the surrounding rainforests. After all, there are so many different ways to find yourself!
Customise your itinerary according to your whims, sampling all the activities (the coffee tasting, concierge tours and cooking lessons are our recommendations) or devoting all your time to a select few. There’s no dearth of choice!
Find your own inner peace at Vana, Dehradun
A wellness retreat in the heartlands of Dehradun, Vana is the answer to your search for an equilibrium between work and personal life. The retreat is placed bang in the middle of thriving green forest spaces, explaining its name.
Offering a blend of wellness, medicine and Indian wisdom, Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga have been integrated into the fold of this retreat. With homely meals that are prepared to nourish your mind as well as your body, get used to the feeling of utmost peace and tranquillity during your time here!
SwaSwara, Gokarna
SwaSwara means inner voice and it’s no accident that the renowned property focuses on getting you to stay in touch with your truest form. A better ability to listen to your inner self and act in accordance with it is the top-billed advertisement that the world-famous retreat boasts and it seems to be living up to that promise.
Situated on Gokarna’s signature Om Beach, Swaswara’s week-long programs aim at getting you to appreciate calmness and solitude in a different way. Practice the regenerative art of yoga, dine with some of the swankiest views and try out ayurvedic treatments to rejuvenate your body.
One of Swaswara’s crowning glories is its dedication to preserving the world around it. The resort is making quick strides towards being as green as possible. Rainwater harvesting, vermicomposting and biogas generation are some of the practices that the resort is investing heavily in.
Shreyas Retreat in Bangalore
Have you ever wondered how it would be to live a life of simplicity, without the intrusions of modern life? At Shreyas Retreat in Bangalore, you can explore the spiritual bend of your mind like you’ve always wanted to.
Recognised as one of the finest wellness retreats in the world, Shreyas is dedicated to promoting the verdure of mind, body and soul through Ayurvedic treatments, Panchakarma and Naturopathy.
You can also take part in their mindful yoga sessions to cleanse and invigorate yourself. Located just an hour away from the Bangalore International Airport, Shreyas Retreat promises accessibility and world-class service.
Follow nature trails in Dharamshala
Few wellness experiences can match the simple joy of basking in the majesty of mother earth. Dharamshala allows you to do just that, with the prettiest views to boot!
Spend your days on long treks to the hills with the fresh air and cool breeze of the Himalayas as your constant companions. The Triund Hillas nature trail is just one of the many options available with a unique selling point — it offers stunning panoramic views of the Dhauladhar ranges.
Pay a visit to the revered Buddhist site, the Gyuto Monastery, and soak in all the positive vibes from all the tantric meditation and ritual arts practised there. For a vacation that combines the elevation of your spiritual and mental well-being with the enjoyment of traditional tourist spots, Dharamshala is the place to go!
Life is too short to spend constantly chasing the next bonus, the next step up the ladder, without taking time to enjoy exactly where you are in the moment.
Everybody needs a breather from time to time, and the recent surge in popularity that Wellness Travel is experiencing is proof that we’re all slowly starting to realise it. Hop on the train sooner rather than later — there’s so much of life left to see!
