Ayurveda
What is Ayurveda? What does an Ayurveda Panchakarma involve? Would it work for me? Are you considering an Ayurveda Wellbeing Holiday? Read it all here, we have summed up the frequently asked questions....
Read morePuurenkuur selection
Discover all our Ayurveda holidays
4 Reviews
Trivandrum, India
Over 30 years’ experience plus one of the first Ayurveda resorts in the world. If you’re looking for authentic, traditional Ayurveda, Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort is the place for you.
Pureandcure Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free excursion: Back water tour for a min. stay 7 nights OR Trivandrum city tour for a min. 14 night stay
- 15% summer discount on all stays in summer: April until September 2020
Room only
from
€32
p.p.
Ayurveda Rejuvenation
from
€711
p.p.
Panchakarma Ayurveda
from
€1428
p.p.
24 Reviews
Trivandrum, India
Soma Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village lives up to its name. Think authentic Ayurveda, a sandy beach with palm trees and cosy cottages. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free excursion: Back water tour for a min. stay 7 nights OR Trivandrum city tour for a min. 14 night stay
- 15% summer discount on all stays in summer: April until September 2020
Room only
from
€33
p.p.
Ayurveda Rejuvenation
from
€711
p.p.
Panchakarma Ayurveda
from
€1428
p.p.
17 Reviews
Canico, Funchal, Madeira (Portugal)
Ayurveda in one of Madeira’s most beautiful seaside resorts. Alpino Atlántico combines authentic treatments with a spectacular setting. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Complimentary ayurveda hand massage (valid for all stays of min. 3 nights)
- Repeater offer: Free ayurveda package upon arrival (tongue scraper, sesam oil for daily orral and nasal care and ayurveda shampoo)
Stay with full board
from
€100
p.p.
Yoga & Ayurveda
from
€760
p.p.
Ayurveda
from
€1213
p.p.
Weightmanagement Ayurveda
from
€1506
p.p.
Ayurveda Panchakarma
from
€3680
p.p.
6 Reviews
Koggala, Sri Lanka
Sun, sea, rest, relaxation, sites of interest, good food, luxury and comfort. You’ll have it all at The Fortress. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free upgrade to half board from July 1st until December 15th 2019
- Discount on single supplement (already caculated in the rates)
- Free jetlag massage and yogasession minimum stay of 5 nights
Bed & Breakfast
from
€103
p.p.
Discover & Unwind
from
€733
p.p.
Wellbeing Booster
from
€742
p.p.
Discover Ayurveda
from
€867
p.p.
20 Reviews
Uttaranchal, India
A truly unbeatable wellness experience. One of the very best destination spas in the world, you can expect nothing but the best at Ananda in the Himalayas. read more
Pureandcure Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- For all Puurenkuur Travellers: a Spa Credit Voucher worth 100 USD per person on any booking and stay.
- For repeat Ananda Guest: 10% discount.
- For ‘Ananda Yogi’ (repeat guest who has completed 21 nights or 3 visits in the past 3 years): 10% discount and a choice of Benefits. Ask our Team for more details.
Room only
from
€230
p.p.
Ananda Rebalance 3 nights
from
€1048
p.p.
Ananda Renew 3 nights
from
€1048
p.p.
Intro to Detox
from
€1745
p.p.
Intro to De-stress
from
€1745
p.p.
Intro to Fitness
from
€1745
p.p.
Intro to Yoga
from
€1745
p.p.
Yogic Detox
from
€2667
p.p.
Ananda Holistic Detox
from
€2667
p.p.
Ananda Rejuvenation Panchakarma
from
€2667
p.p.
Stress Management
from
€2667
p.p.
Active & Core Fitness
from
€2667
p.p.
Ananda Renew 7 nights
from
€2667
p.p.
Comprehensive Stress Management
from
€5334
p.p.
Comprehensive Ananda Detox
from
€5334
p.p.
Panchakarma Intensive
from
€5334
p.p.
Ananda Renew & Healthy aging 14 nights
from
€5334
p.p.
13 Reviews
Laško, Ljubljana, Slovenia
An enormous swimming complex, large spa and authentic Ayurveda centre. In spring and autumn, Thermana Park Laško is the perfect wellness destination. In the summer, the ideal holiday destination. read more
Pureandcure Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- No Single Supplement
- Hotel passport with various discounts
- 15% discount on Ayurveda programs and Medical programs
- Early Bird: book 40 days prior to arrival and receive a 10% discount
- Free room upgrade to a Comfort plus room with river view and balcony, when available at time of booking
- For Twin/Doubles: book 1 massage and receive 2 (available for Ayurvedic, Beer body massage and detox with hemp massage and only at Spa reception desk)
Ayurveda Rejuvenation
from
€421
p.p.
Medical Wellbeing program
from
€561
p.p.
Physical Therapy in Thermana Lasko
from
€569
p.p.
Healthy Spine Programme
from
€719
p.p.
Yoga 7 nights
from
€790
p.p.
Revitalize Programme
from
€816
p.p.
Sport & Wellness Bootcamp
from
€1499
p.p.
4 Reviews
Trivandrum, India
A cosy ayurveda resort offering yoga and meditation, run by enthusiastic eco warriors in a tropical paradise by the Indian Ocean. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- From April – October for every 14 nights' booking a Face care programme OR Feet care programme (choice of 1x Face & 1x Feet treatment OR 2x Face OR 2x Feet (each treatment is 30 minutes and Face and feet treatments are only provided once a week)
- Free nights!
- 14=13, valid for all stays in April, May, August, September and October 2019
- 14=12, valid for all stays in June and/or July 2019
- For repeating guests (combing back for the second time): Free Back Water Cruise OR City Tour (valid for all stays between April - October 2019) + 5% discount for long stays off 28 days and above (valid for all stays between April - October 2019)
- For repeating guests (combing back for the third time or more): 5% discount
Ayurveda
from
€457
p.p.
Pokhara, Nepal
Enjoy peaceful Ayurveda cures at the foot of the imposing Himalaya Mountains. True stillness; living in harmony with the untouched nature and exploring Nepal’s unique culture. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Reduced rates for single travellers (already included in the rates)
- Complimentary spa credit voucher worth $ 100 per person (min. stay 7 nights)
Wellbeing booster
from
€459
p.p.
Ayurveda
from
€1496
p.p.
11 Reviews
San Lawrenz, Gozo, Gozo (Malta)
Discover and relax. Outdoor activities and treatments in one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful wellness resorts. Welcome to Kempinski San Lawrenz! read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Reduced rates for single travellers
- Free room upgrade for twin/doubles until April 30, 2020 (subject to availability)
Discover Ayurveda
from
€817
p.p.
12 Reviews
Beruwela, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara is a serene resort, where you can surrender yourself into the caring hands of the Ayurveda therapists? read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- 5% early booking discount when you book this program 90 days in advance (this offer is combinable with other offers)
- Free nights for all stays in May, June and July 2019
Ayurveda
from
€834
p.p.
Weight Management
from
€1667
p.p.
Ayurveda Stress Management
from
€1667
p.p.
Ayurveda Panchakarma
from
€1667
p.p.
6 Reviews
Phuket, Thailand
This intimate, adults-only boutique hotel sits among tropical gardens with spectacular views of the ocean. Guests can follow authentic Ayurveda cures in Thailand, with a top Ayurveda practitioner from India who will prescribe you a personal treatment plan
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free massage per person (30 minutes)
- Free room upgrade to the next categorie for double occupancy bookings
- Free round trip airport transfer (min. 10 night stay)
Ayurveda
from
€1236
p.p.
1 Review
Tangalle, Sri Lanka
Personalised Ayurveda programme at a small-scale retreat read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free return airport transfers Colombo airport - hotel (min. stay 7 nights)
Ayurveda
from
€1240
p.p.
Bangalore, India
Twelve luxury cottages on an enormous exotic estate and an absolute top team make for a truly unique yoga and Ayurveda retreat that’s a home-from-home. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- 5% single traveller discount (min. stay 5 nights)
- Free Spa Credit Voucher worth $ 130 OR a complimentary round trip airport transfer worth $ 130 (min. stay 5 nights)
Yoga
from
€1272
p.p.
3 Reviews
Abano, Venice, Italy
The only luxury 5* hotel in the Italian spa town: Abano Terme. A family hotel with modern, thermal spa for traditional fango cures and innovative beauty and anti-aging treatments. read more
Pureandcure Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free spa treatment per person (60 minutes)
World spa & relax
from
€1298
p.p.
Balaclava, Mauritius, Mauritius
Luxury, 5* pamper resort by a white sand private beach on the Indian Ocean. The resort specialises in Ayurveda and holistic cure programmes. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
Intro to Ayurveda
from
€1564
p.p.
3 Reviews
Gianyar, Bali, Bali (Indonesia)
Exclusive attention for your health and an individually tailored wellness programme come with a personal touch at the luxury COMO Shambhala Estate. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- 10% discount for single travellers on the room rates
- When booking twin/double stay: Spa giftvoucher worth 100 USD per room (min. 5 nights stay)
Discover Ayurveda
from
€2014
p.p.
4 Reviews
Tangalle, Sri Lanka
An alluring tropical island experience combined with the luxurious 5 star wellness of the Anantara Resorts. read more
Pureandcure Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free upgrade to half board (when staying min. 7 nights)
- Complimentary lunch for single travellers (free upgrade to full board) (min. stay 7 nights)
Ayurveda Weightmanagement
from
€2177
p.p.
Ayurveda Inner Harmony
from
€2262
p.p.
Ayurveda Deep Sleep
from
€2262
p.p.
6 Reviews
Ahungalla, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lotus Villa is a small-scale Ayurveda resort, where making connections with other retreat guests is very easy. This makes it a perfect place for solo travellers. read more
Pureandcure Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Free round trip airport transfer
- Early bird discount
Panchakarma Prevention
from
€2213
p.p.
Ayurveda Panchakarma Rehabilitation
from
€2524
p.p.
Discover Vana
from
€2221
p.p.
Vana Wellness
from
€3614
p.p.
18 Reviews
Pune, India
Traditional eastern medicine comes paired with a state-of the art spa, ultra-modern fitness facilities and western medical knowledge at Atmantan Wellness Resort. The purpose? To truly own a deep sense of wellbeing; not just experience it. read more
Puurenkuur Benefits
Depending on your Holiday:
- Reduced rates for single travellers (already calculated in the rates)
- Complimentary one way Airport Transfer from Pune/Mumbai airport
- Free room upgrade from Standard room (Asoka & Arjuna) to the next room category (subject to availability at the time of Arrival)
- Free Spa credit voucher worth 75 USD per person (for any spa programme except the Wellbeing Booster)
Master Cleanse 7 nights
from
€2638
p.p.
Ayurveda Panchakarma 7 nights
from
€2638
p.p.
Ayurveda Panchakarma 10 nights
from
€3768
p.p.
Master Cleanse 14 nights
from
€5275
p.p.
Ayurveda Panchakarma 14 nights
from
€5275
p.p.
Not found what you were looking for? Please call +31 (0)20 573 03 50 for more info!
Is an Ayurveda holiday right for me?
What is Ayurveda? What does an Ayurveda involve? Is an Ayurveda holiday right for me? And is an Ayurveda healthy for anyone? We often get these questions put to us at Puurenkuur. Are you considering an Ayurveda holiday? We cover everything you need to know about an Ayurveda holiday, here.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda means ‘Life Knowledge’. Ayurvedic medicine is thousands of years old. This medicine, thought to be the mother of all medicines, is all about restoring balance between the body, mind and soul. A traditional cure consists of an Ayurvedic diet with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, occasional chicken or fish (link naar blog over ayurvedisch eten), morning yoga and evening meditation, massages, herbal baths and steam baths. An Ayurveda practitioner will tailor your cure to you personally based on your dosha type. Read our blog
What an Ayurveda does for you
On an Ayurveda wellness holiday, you can have it all: an indulgent holiday and health cure in one! You’ll get to enjoy delicious food all holiday and still lose weight. Other pleasant side effects: a clear mind, total relaxation and newfound energy. Ayrvedic philosophy also offers us greater insight into ourselves and the world around us.
Ayurveda is primarily a preventative medicine. An Ayurveda cure can rejuvenate your body and mind and can promote longevity. However, Ayurveda also achieves remarkable results for rheumatic conditions, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, stress, high blood pressure, migraines, psoriasis or depression.
What types of Ayurveda cure are there?
You can choose between a rasayana (wellness Ayurveda: for pure relaxation), an intensive panchakarma (purification of body and mind) or a medical Ayurveda (for the treatment of specific conditions or complaints). Medical Ayurveda require a longer stay. We also recommend repeat treatments and therapies.
Additional benefits of an Ayurveda holiday
Doing an Ayurveda programme in Sri Lanka or India, you’ll receive two to four treatments per day, such as head, body and synchronised massages and herbal baths and steam baths. Ayurvedic medicine is gentle and based on a natural approach. As such, there are no unwanted side effects.
The best place for Ayurveda holidays
Ayurveda originates from the Indian subcontinent. Sri Lanka and India traditionally represent the best places in the world to go to for an Ayurveda programme. Particularly in India there are an incredible number of Ayurveda hotels, especially in the province of Kerala (southern India). Kerala has many forested areas and a pleasant climate, with a refreshing monsoon season (June - November) and is the perfect place for an Ayurveda programme. Puurenkuur knows exactly what to look for in choosing the best Ayurveda hotels. The fantastic resorts (link naar Ayurvedaresorts) in our selection have been chosen based on strict criteria. The best of the best, if we do say so ourselves.
Ayurveda cures in Europe
If India and Sri Lanka sound a little far for you, don’t worry: Ayurveda is on-trend! An increasing number of spa & wellness hotels in Europe are now also offering Ayurveda programmes with personalised treatments, a dosha-specific diet and daily yoga and meditation. The hotels source the knowledge, experience and products (and sometimes even the Ayurveda practitioners and therapists) from India. The Kempinski Hotel in Gozo, the Galo hotel in Madeira and Ayurveda hotel Luna y Sol in Spain belong among Europe’s largest Ayurveda centres.
Ayurveda health resorts and destinations
Want to find out more about our Ayurveda holidays? Puurenkuur works alongside the world’s greatest Ayurveda resorts.
A typical cure day
A typical Ayurveda day usually begins with yoga and ends with meditation. Ayurvedic meals are mostly vegetarian (with chicken or fish once or twice a week). An Ayurveda cure isn’t only limited to massages and treatments, but also includes nutrition, herbs, health products, yoga, meditation, readings and other activities (each hotel’s weekly activity schedule can be viewed on the hotel page).
Ayurvedic baths and massages
In Ayurveda treatments, the therapists use a lot of warm oils with herbs that are rubbed pretty much all over the body. The herbs are absorbed into the skin through the oil.
A-Z of Ayurveda treatments:
- Abhyanga Shareera body massage
- Abhyanga Shareera head massage
- Acupuncture
- Decoctions
- Face treatments
- Herbal baths
- Herbal steam baths
- Nasya Karama nose treatment
- Pinda Sweda Nawara Kizi massage
- Purification Therapy (Rakhtha Mokshana Karma)
- Shirodhara (oil on the ‘third eye’)
- Shiro Vasti
- Vamana Karma (emesis therapy)
- Vereka Karma (purification of the body)
- Vasti Karma (enema therapy)
Balancing the dosha types
Ayurveda recognises three types of life energy: Vata, Pitta and Kahpa, also termed ‘types’ or ‘doshas’. Every one of us is different and has a different balance of these three energies. In a healthy individual, all three energies are equally balanced. If one of the three is dominant, physical or mental issues will develop. An Ayurveda cure is thus designed to rebalance the three doshas. At the start of your cure, the Ayurvedic practitioner will establish which type you are using a questionnaire. He or she will then devise a treatment plan based on your dosha type and any issues. Every individual thus has their own unique treatment plan.
Which Dosha type are you: Vata, Pitta or Kahpa?
According to the Ayurvedic philosophy, from birth, we all have a unique balance of the three Dosha types. This balance is reflected in a person’s body shape, immune system, character traits and behaviour. Vata, for instance, represents impulsiveness. Vatas can be identified by a slight body shape, mobility and a restless mind among other things. Vatas are susceptible to experiencing anxiety and stress. Pitta represents firepower. Pittas often feel starving if they don’t eat on time. They live according to the clock and hate wasting time. They are also demanding, determined and critical. Kapha represents structure power. Kaphas think long and hard before they make a decision. They like to lie-in, are respectful, empathic and are emotional eaters.
A more comprehensive description and a list of questions to ask in order to determine your dominant dosha type can be found in our blog ‘Ayurveda Types: are you an impulsive Vata, fiery Pitta or a calm Kapha?’
Good to know
In Ayurveda, male therapists will treat makes, and female therapists females (the therapist will be massaging / treating you).
This is the case in India and Sri Lanka. In Europe, resorts may deviate from this because there is often just one Ayurvedic therapist. If, as a woman, your preference is to be treated by a female therapist, please make this clear.
Take books and magazines with you. In line with Ayurvedic philosophy, most authentic Ayurveda resorts in India and Sri Lanka do not have TVs or air-conditioning so that you can really relax.
Ask Puurenkuur
If you have any other questions about Ayurveda, or want help finding the best Ayurveda destination for you, our wellness holiday specialists are here to help.
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