Visa guidance · direct flights · cost in USD · insurance + language notes · best season. Built for North American patients planning a residential Panchakarma course.
Verify current requirements on the official Indian visa portal before applying — visa rules can change.
| Visa | Duration | Eligibility | Fee (USD) | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa | 30 / 90 / 365 | US passport holders | $25 | 3 days |
| e-Ayush Visa | 60 / 120 | For AYUSH treatment | $80 | 5 days |
| e-Medical Visa | 60 | For medical treatment | $80 | 5 days |
Kerala has 4 international airports — Kochi (COK), Trivandrum (TRV), Calicut (CCJ), and Kannur (CNN). Direct flights from United States land mainly at COK + TRV.
New York (JFK) (JFK) 1 stop
Air India direct to Delhi/Mumbai, connect to COK; ~22–24h
Washington (IAD) (IAD) 1 stop
Via Doha or Dubai; 1 stop
Chicago (ORD) (ORD) 1 stop
Via Frankfurt or Doha; 1 stop
San Francisco (SFO) (SFO) 1 stop
Via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar); 1 stop
Airport → centre. Most classified Panchakarma centres arrange complimentary or paid pickup from the nearest airport. Typical drive times: COK→Kottayam 1h, COK→Thrissur 1h 30m, TRV→Kollam 1h 30m, CCJ→Wayanad 2h, CCJ→Kottakkal 1h. Confirm at booking.
Static conversion at 1 USD ≈ ₹83. Exchange rates vary — confirm before quoting your booking.
USD cards work everywhere via Razorpay. Wise or Capital One cards for best FX. ATMs widely available in Kerala for USD-to-INR withdrawal.
English universal at classified centres. Malayalam is local.
US health insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, most commercial plans) does NOT cover Ayurveda abroad. HSA / FSA accounts cannot typically be used for Ayurveda. Consider Patriot Travel Medical Insurance for trip-level emergency cover.
Best months: October–March. Karkidaka (mid-July–August) for monsoon Panchakarma — but North American summer plans usually conflict.
What to pack: Light cottons; light raincoat for monsoon; modest cover-ups for temple visits. Bring 30+ days of prescription medication in original packaging with the prescription itself.
Real patient stories from United States will appear here as they come in. If you've done a course in Kerala, share your experience — anonymously if preferred.
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