Holidays with Ayurveda Treatments – A Big Hit

It is estimated that over 5 million trips are taken each year for the specific purpose of tourism for well-being. Furthermore, spa & wellness treatments also form part of trips taken for other purposes. The reason behind this growing trend is the general increase in awareness about the need for a balanced Mind-Body & Soul. The masses have understood that regular and holistic care of their selves is important to escape the mid /long term impact of stress. Preventive healthcare through alternative means therefore is growing in every part of the world. Ayurveda, the over 5000 years old traditional system of holistic-healthcare from India is seemingly one of the most popular and trusted alternative therapy across the world.

There are specialized resorts for Ayurveda retreats across the world, which have contributed significantly in the growth of international Ayurveda tourism.With the change in location come changes in components, duration and charges for treatments. However, the crux of Ayurveda remains intact as this stream of alternative medicine is now formally taught in many universities across the world. Even the assistants are formally trained in all good and high-quality Ayurveda centres. High on the list of preferred destinations for Ayurveda treatments of International tourists are Kerala and New Delhi in India. While Kerala Ayurveda in itself has become synonymous with Ayurveda in India, the northern state of Delhi and other nearby destinations like Haridwar and Rishikesh also have some very well-known centers for Ayurveda treatments.

For the typical traveler on a well-being holiday what matters most is the quality of treatments and of course the staff. Locales play an important role to the extent that one wants to be away from the noisy and polluted atmosphere. It is a well known fact that the retreats in Kerala are mostly away from the noisy cities and many are near the very popular Kerala Backwaters. A wellness oriented traveler generally takes up to a maximum of 2 hours of Ayurveda treatments and spends the rest of the day in Yoga and Meditation, often eating specially recommended food and walking the natural surrounds or boating in the houseboats.

Similarly, the traditional north Indian centers for Ayurveda treatments are in the interiors of green belts in Uttarakhand, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh. Delhi Ayurveda centers are more urban in appearance and cater to the global traveler who does not have time to really travel 2 days back and forth for a 2 Night experience at the Ayurveda center. Many 4 star and 5 star properties in North and South India have understood this latent demand and now top-notch professionals cater to the needs of  discerning guests from all over the world. Domestic, city travelers too throng these facilities for beauty, wellness and health treatments. Travelers from US, Latin America & Europe are the most prolific users of these services in North and South of India. The best part is the high percentage of repeat visits for this experience, meaning that the Ayurveda centers do deliver a satisfactory experience. Another factor growing this business in India is the relatively low prices when compared with Ayurveda treatment prices in other parts of the world. The Indian treatment can be 50% or still cheaper than treatments taken at Ayurveda resorts of the same stature in the western world.

Last but not the least, many of the travelers do undertake these trips to India because of the other eclectic experiences and colors of India that can be experienced in one go while the desired level of well-being is achieved. The same applies to domestic and international travelers who visit Wellness resorts the world over. It is holidaying with an eye on the goal of well-being.

Read More

Kerala Holidays- Beaches, Backwaters, Hills and Ayurveda

Kerala, a coastal state at the south-western tip of India, is gaining more fans each year. This state is so blessed by nature that it is often called ‘God’s Own Country’. The state has an area of approx. 38800 sq.km . out of which approx. 1900 sq.km. are wetlands and approx. 9400 sq.km . area is covered by forests. The state has numerous rivers, water bodies and a network of waterways which interconnect many of its villages. The state has a 580 km. coastal line.

Given the above, the state is well known for its Beaches, Backwaters and Hills. The natural beauty is even more enjoyable because of long periods of favorable climate. Add to this the ever-smiling, mostly literate population of the state with a long history of hospitality establishments and you have an environment so wonderfully conducive to Tourism that the visitors just can’t have enough of it. Kerala Holiday packages in India are therefore a regular offering by Tour operators. The state offers holidays for all budgets starting from home-stays to the top of the line Luxury-Premium properties. Though most of Kerala Resorts are on Beach sites, the ones on hills and in Coffee and Spice plantations have their own set of dedicated and regular patrons.

The state administration is very aware of the winner that they have at hand and no stone is left unturned to highlight the wonders of Kerala. One such wonder is Kerala Ayurveda, the over 5000 year old system of holistic medicine which in modern world is well accepted as Alternative Medicine (when spoken in context of Allopathic medicine). Ayurveda means science of life and touches all aspects, namely- the physical, mental and spiritual. The following of this wonderful system of preventive and curative healthcare is growing steadily again after it was first introduced to the western world many decades back. The domestic population is also once again realizing the safety of no after-effects feature of this very effective system. With many universities teaching this system of medicine internationally and the over 2200 registered Ayurvedic hospitals tending to the needs of visitors; the world is now very well aware of the Kerala Ayurveda India offers.

So , the four pillars of Tourism in Kerala have been recognised as Beaches, Backwaters, Hills and Ayurveda. Ayurveda resorts Kerala has are known world over for the treatments offered for general well-being as well as for curative and cosmetic procedures. Integrated with Yoga and meditation, the Ayurvedic procedures work wonders and that is why the world is literally re-discovering this science of life. It is due to all the above reasons that the average duration of stay for a foreign tourist in Kerala is 16.1 days. Average duration of stay for domestic tourists is 6.8 days. Out of over 10 million tourists that Kerala received last year, over 8,00,000 were foreigners from Britain, France and Russia.

Read More

Most Appropriate Ayurveda treatment in Delhi

NCR (National Capital Region) Delhi has been transformed beyond recognition for someone who had visited the city a decade or so back. The pace of change is not letting up yet. The relentless pace is taking its toll of people who are now over-stressed and just do not get time for exercise and preventive healthcare. Fortunately, most of these people understand that mindless pill-popping is only going to get them in to further health troubles. Hence, at the first sign of serious health issues a hunt begins for the most appropriate treatment center  One very positive development which has taken place is the growth of Ayurveda in Delhi through various clinics, day spas and Hospitals along with all the modern infrastructure and satellite township growth.

There are at least 3 major full-fledged Ayurveda Hospitals in the Delhi-NCR and two of those also have super-specialty wings. Add to these around 10 well-known Ayurveda clinics run by doctors who are as old as Delhi Ayurveda culture itself. While Ayurveda always had a following in Delhi, the 90’s saw a cultural shift and for some time the economic growth blinded people to all things traditional. Luckily, the clinics upgraded the facilities over the last 2 decades and have continued to highlight the successes of Ayurveda in fighting lifestyle disease to media. This and the fact there are literally no after-effects of Ayurveda treatments for preventive healthcare gradually brought back the holistic well-being seeker  to Ayurveda. The use of heavy metals in Ayurveda is ages-old but it is strongly recommended that such treatments be only taken under expert care and in larger facilities where clinical test facilities also exist.

In addition to holistic healthcare the need for beauty care without chemical exposure has gradually endeared Ayurveda to the cosmetic and beauty-care seeker. There are now a plethora of small and big Ayurveda treatment centers in Delhi offering a whole range of rejuvenating and cosmetic / beauty care services. Almost all the major 5star hotels in town also now offer Ayurveda treatments along with the international treatments for rejuvenation, cosmetic and beauty care. However, if it is the authentic Ayurveda experience with traditional ambiance that you seek then only a couple of these 50 odd locations in Delhi-NCR shall qualify.

The help for finding the authentic Ayurveda experience can be sought from experts who promote Delhi Ayurveda Packages along with packages for Kerala Ayurveda and such other related experiences for well-being. Generally such experts shall offer a detailed website and would like to know of your understanding and comfort with Ayurveda treatments. One needs to be wary of agents who recommend Panchakarma treatments at the drop of a hat. While it is a fact that a Panchakarma treatment has no after-effects when administered to a healthy person but the price difference between a soothing and rejuvenation massage and a Panchakarma treatment at a decent centre can be huge. A certain degree of awareness is required in recommending Ayurveda treatments / packages and the experts do not shy away from seeking the Ayurveda Doctor’s advice if there is need for a second opinion.

Read More