Discover a Slower Side of Kerala at Indian Summer House

Canoe across the Muvattupuzha River with your boatman before continuing on foot through Kerala's rural landscape, passing rubber trees and tapioca fields along the way. Your destination is a much-loved local tea house run by Mohanan and his family, where freshly poured tea is served alongside warm pazham pori, tapioca chips and parippu vada.

Sit beneath the ripening banana trees and share the space with local residents and travelling salesmen—a wonderfully ordinary slice of Kerala life. Return by auto-rickshaw through the streets of Muvattupuzha, crossing the historic first concrete bridge in Asia on your way home.

Begin the morning outdoors as the first light reaches across the palms, with a private yoga and meditation session in the open pavilion or on the lawn. The practice is paced entirely around you, combining mindful movement, breath and stillness in the peaceful surroundings of the house.

With birdsong, tropical greenery and the gentle presence of the river providing the backdrop, the experience feels naturally connected to its setting rather than confined to a conventional wellness space. Once you've stretched, breathed and settled into the morning, follow it with an unhurried breakfast at the house.

Step into the kitchen for a hands-on introduction to Kerala's home cooking, learning traditional dishes directly from the house chef. Prepare regional recipes using familiar local ingredients and time-tested techniques, discovering the stories and methods behind the food as you cook.

For a deeper taste of everyday Kerala, begin with a visit to the local market, stopping at an Ayurveda store, traditional coconut press, fruit and vegetable market, utensils shop and Khadi cotton store. Back in the kitchen, put what you've discovered into practice before sitting down to enjoy the meal you've prepared together.