Niraamaya Retreats 7 days Kerala Experience

You'll be picked up at Trivandrum airport and driven to the retreat with a 25-minute drive through the town of Trivandrum.

Check in at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra. Lunch will be served at Samsara Cafe. You are at leisure for the evening. Enjoy the spa treatments lined up for this evening. You will be treated to 60 mins Abhyanga Snana, a blissfully rhythmic body massage with warm medicated oils. It facilitates circulation and relieves fatigue and body aches.

At 6pm you will be entertained with a performance centered on Carnatic music, an Indian classical form of music. An authentic Kerala dinner tweaked to the sensibilities of your palate will follow.

Pre-dawn tea will be served at Niraamaya's pristine secluded beach. Watch the spectacular Kovalam sunrise and colours over the majestic Arabian Sea.

Visit to the local fish market at 6 am with the chef. The view across the harbour looks past the big Old Catholic church right on the beach and 2 distant mosques at the far end. Back at the retreat your breakfast awaits you, then you will take a trip around Kovalam to experience the attractions.

Visit to Padmanabhaswamy Temple,  the most dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake from which the city derives its name. After that walk down an amazing bazaar street. This colourful market is Kerala's hidden treasure and a prime shopping destination for the 'daring' buyer only. At the end of the bazaar reach Ganapathy temple with a chance to enter. Please note photography is not allowed at this divine place of worship.

Today lunch is an amazing Sadhya Meal served on a banana leaf in Trivandrum's world famous "shabby chic" restaurant. After lunch head on to Kuthiramalika Palace museum. The palace, with its excellent carvings and amazing architectural designs, is by itself a slice of heritage. The museum has a wide range of exhibits representing the erstwhile state of Travancore.

After return you are free at leisure, however do not miss the sunset over a cocktail at Madira Bar. Dinner of your choice will be served at the retreat.

Start your day with some sunrise Yoga on the platform by the cliff overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea for 30 mins. This light workout will be followed by breakfast at Cafe Samsara.

After short 20 minutes drive south of Niraamaya retreats, reach the Poovar estuary. Transfer to a motor boat for a cruise through pristine coconut groves on either side of the river leading you up to Golden Sand Beach where you can see where backwater meets the Arabian Sea. Enjoy a special picnic hamper that your chef has prepared and relax in this amazing spot over a glass of chilled wine. On return the boat will take you through a pristine mangrove forest, before you transfer back to the retreat.

Back at the retreat enjoy a classic high tea on your porch while your pre-booked spa therapy awaits you - the Niraamaya Signature Spa therapy (60 mins). This deeply relaxing massage is the ideal antidote to ease all stress.

Today is primarily dedicated to relaxation and self-discovery. Start your day with sunrise Yoga on the platform by the cliff overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea. This light 30 mins workout will be followed by breakfast at Cafe Samsara.

Your wellness program will continue with 30 mins of Shirodhara at Niraamaya Spa, a relaxing therapy with lukewarm medicated oils gently poured in a stream over the forehead. Shirodhara is known for diffusing mental tension and easing headaches, improving sleep and strengthening hair roots.

This will be followed by 60 mins of Abhyanga Snana Classic, a traditional massage with warm medicated oils administered by two therapists with synchronized movements. This ancient therapy perfected over 5000 years improves blood circulation, relaxation and enhancing energy flow. Lunch will follow after your therapies.

Optional retreat walkthrough accompanied by a naturalist. He will introduce you to the flora and fauna at the retreat and also take you through the homegrown organic garden. You will also learn about all the environmental friendly initiatives at Niraamaya. Tea will be served at the ancient wishing well during your walk around.

This evening during dinner you'll enjoy a traditional Kerala cultural show.

After breakfast check out from Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra and depart for Thekkady, India's largest wildlife sanctuary and a dream destination for all tourists. Along this 6 hour drive you will travel through the panoramic Western Ghat, from small quaint towns to rubber plantations into lush green tea plantations and scenic valleys up a winding road.

Check in at Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club. Visit acres of verdant groves and enjoy a guided spice plantation tour. Experience how spices such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg and cloves are grown.

Free time at leisure. Dinner will be served at the retreat.

Today you have several options to choose from to live an incredible adventure.

Choose a 4 km trek from the retreat to Mount Miracle at dawn, a great opportunity to view the local wildlife such as the 'Gaur' or Indian Bison and various species of deer and the beautiful Periyar sunrise. For the less adventurous there is a secret pathway to the top.

Otherwise look out for one of the rarest animals on earth at the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary , one of the few places where these big cats can prowl freely. There is also a great opportunity to experience an elephant back ride which is an absolute must. The retreat's elephant trainers will accompany you to the jungle camp where you can ride and bathe these gentle giants. End this amazing tour by feeding elephants by hand.

For lunch today the chef will organize a handy backpack which offers delectable and nutritious gourmet delights. After your return to the retreat, your evening is at leisure. Enjoy the calls of exotic birds that surround you or enjoy a quiet read over mountain coffee made with beans from the resort's own garden.

This evening you'll be taken to watch Kalaripayattu, the oldest form of martial arts with careful measured movements and clash of swords guaranteed to leave you mesmerized. The performance will be followed by dinner at the retreat.

For a genuine safari experience, travel by jeep into the densest reaches of the spice hills in Gavi. The safari will take you through all forms of terrain - valleys, tropical forests, sprawling grasslands and cascading waterfalls. It includes 3 hours of trekking and 2 hours of paddle boating. Try and spot the rare wildlife species of this area.

The adventurous can opt to go bamboo rafting down a river. Breakfast and lunch are organized in a quaint hamper for both excursions.

Your farewell dinner today is Niraamaya's special BBQ night. End the blissful day with delicious sundowners, stargazing at the bright blanket of stars that stretch across a clear night sky, before a crackling bonfire.

Check out from Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club Thekkady. Transfer to Trivandrum/Cochin airport.