Rekawa Wellness Resort
Panchakarma Retreats in Sri Lanka
Choose a Panchakarma programme shaped around you
Your Panchakarma retreat in Sri Lanka begins with a conversation with our Ayurvedic doctor at Rekawa. Your health history, constitution and reasons for coming guide the programme: the treatments you receive, the food recommended for you, and the balance of practice and rest.
Choose from stays of seven, fourteen, twenty-one or twenty-eight days. The length gives your programme its space; your doctor’s assessment gives it its shape. Panchakarma procedures are recommended only when suitable, and a gentler Ayurvedic approach may be the better fit.
Experience traditional Sri Lankan Ayurveda within the Rekawa Nature Reserve near Tangalle. Our Panchakarma programmes are residential, with personalised care throughout your stay.
The foundation of your stay
What every Panchakarma programme includes
- Personal attention from our doctorOne-to-one consultations on arrival and before departure, with short daily reviews of your progress.
- Four personalised treatments dailyTherapies selected for you. When suitable and prescribed, acupuncture is included within those four treatments.
- An individual Ayurvedic care planPrescribed herbal medicine and Panchakarma procedures only when recommended by the doctor.
- Dietary guidance during treatmentYour doctor guides food choices and suitable dietary adjustments around your care plan.
- Practice alongside your treatmentSunrise and sunset yoga, with breathwork and meditation. Participation follows your doctor’s guidance.
- Space to restTime between treatments, plus two herbal teas and one king coconut daily.
Treatment selection, intensity and duration depend on your assessment. Workshops and private sessions vary by programme; the sections below explain the differences.
Your personal starting point
Understanding doshas and imbalance
In Ayurveda, health is understood through the balance of three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are traditional principles used to describe patterns of function in the body and mind. Everyone has all three, with an individual constitution known as Prakriti. Your doctor considers this constitution alongside any current dosha imbalance and what you are experiencing now.
Vata, Pitta and Kapha
In Ayurvedic understanding, each dosha has a different role:
- Vata is associated with movement and bodily functions such as breathing.
- Pitta is associated with digestion, metabolism and transformation.
- Kapha is associated with structure, stability and lubrication.
Your health history, digestion, sleep, energy and daily habits help the doctor build a fuller picture. This assessment guides the choice of treatments, oils, herbs, meals and rest within your programme.
Pulse diagnosis and your consultation
Your consultation may include traditional pulse diagnosis, known as Nadi Pariksha, in which the doctor gently feels the pulse at your wrist. Dr. Chamodika places particular emphasis on pulse assessment alongside a broader Ayurvedic consultation to understand individual imbalances and shape personalised care.
The pulse is considered together with your medical history, current symptoms and other observations. You do not need to know your dosha before arriving: the consultation is the starting point for understanding your needs and planning suitable care.
How your programme unfolds
Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s traditional approach to cleansing and detoxification, intended to address dosha imbalance. The name means “five actions” in the traditional Ayurvedic system. Its three broad stages are preparation (Purva Karma), prescribed procedures (Pradhana Karma), and restorative care (Paschat Karma). Your doctor’s assessment determines how these stages fit your stay.
First, an individual assessment
Your initial consultation brings together your health history, Ayurvedic constitution and current concerns to shape an individual care plan. Existing medical reports or an online consultation may be requested when needed, particularly for longer programmes.
Purva Karma · The preparatory phase
Your plan may begin with Sneha oil preparation and Sweda heat or steam, alongside massage, herbal preparations and dietary adjustments. The doctor selects the method and pace appropriate for you.
Pradhana Karma · Your prescribed procedures
The doctor decides whether any main Panchakarma procedures are suitable. The preparation and treatment sequence follow your individual prescription; receiving every classical procedure is not a requirement of your retreat.
Paschat Karma · Rest and nourishing care
Rest, meals and suitable nourishing therapies support the later part of your programme. Your departure consultation includes guidance for everyday life; longer stays include additional lifestyle guidance and, where specified, herbal medicine recommendations for home.
Short daily consultations allow the doctor to review your response and adjust your care throughout the programme.
Traditional Ayurveda, personalised for you
Panchakarma treatments in Sri Lanka
At Rekawa, your treatment plan combines traditional Ayurvedic treatments, any prescribed Panchakarma procedures, and time for rest and nourishing care. The doctor selects the oils, herbs, heat and treatments according to your constitution (Prakriti), current health and progress. The therapies below explain what may form part of your stay.
Sneha · Preparation with oils
Sneha, also called oleation, uses individually selected oils as part of Ayurvedic preparation. Oil is warmed and applied to the body, with the treatment sequence and time for rest shaped around your care plan.
Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic oil massage. The oil, pressure, areas treated and length of the session vary with your assessment. It is one of the full-body therapies that may be selected within your four daily treatments.
Shirodhara involves a controlled, continuous flow of warm liquid over the forehead while you rest. The liquid, temperature and sequence are chosen for the individual. It is a distinct therapy that the doctor may include in your programme.
Sweda · Heat and herbal steam
Sweda, or Swedana, is the Ayurvedic use of heat to encourage sweating. It may follow oil preparation, using warmth, herbal steam therapy or other preparations selected by the doctor.
The temperature, method and duration are adjusted to your needs. Rest after the session forms part of the treatment rhythm, and the doctor reviews how you respond before the programme continues.
Panchakarma detoxification procedures
Here, detoxification describes a doctor-led sequence of Ayurvedic preparation, prescribed cleansing procedures and restorative care. The aim within Ayurveda is to address imbalance and work towards balance through an individual programme.
Main Panchakarma procedures may include therapeutic purgation, medicated enemas or nasal cleansing, when suitable and recommended by the doctor. They follow an individual assessment and preparation.
Your doctor explains which procedure is proposed, what it involves and the care around it. “Five actions” describes the traditional framework; it does not mean every guest receives all five procedures during their retreat.
Other therapies within your care plan
Personalised body treatments may also include powder massage, herbal baths, lymphatic drainage, and other cleansing or nourishing therapies. The seven-day programme includes a herbal or flower bath and beauty care treatments. Ayurvedic herbal preparations accompany your care when prescribed.
Acupuncture may be included when suitable and prescribed. It counts within the four personalised daily treatments, with two acupuncture treatments specified in the seven-day programme.
Treatment names describe the therapies available within an individual programme. Your doctor decides which are appropriate, and treatment selection, intensity and duration may change during your stay.
7 days · A week of personalised care
7 Day Panchakarma Programme
A week to step out of your usual routine and settle into Ayurvedic care. Your doctor shapes the programme around your assessment and reviews your progress each day, with space for treatment, practice and rest.
Alongside the shared foundation
- Two acupuncture treatments when suitable and prescribed, counted within your four daily treatments
- Herbal or flower bath and beauty care treatments
- Cooking class, Ayurveda workshop or pharmacy demonstration, subject to availability
- Group breathwork or sound healing, subject to availability
- Private yoga sessions and a private breathwork session
- A cacao ceremony or ecstatic dance
Consider this length if: you have one week available and would like the doctor to assess whether a shorter Panchakarma programme is appropriate for you.
Enquire about 7 days
14 days · Time to settle into the rhythm
14 Day Panchakarma Programme
Two weeks gives you more space for your prescribed treatments, daily reviews and unhurried rest. Teaching and private practice complement your care, with practical guidance for taking suitable changes home.
Alongside the shared foundation
- Weekly group breathwork class
- Weekly cooking class
- Weekly Ayurveda workshop and pharmacy demonstration
- Private yoga and breathwork sessions
- An online or in-person consultation with the doctor to discuss lifestyle changes
Consider this length if: you can give a fortnight to personalised Ayurvedic care and want time for learning alongside treatment.
Enquire about 14 days
21 days · Sustained individual attention
21 Day Panchakarma Programme
Three weeks creates room for a longer course of individually prescribed care. The four daily treatments in this programme total approximately 120 minutes, with the combination shaped around your assessment. Medical reports and an online consultation may be requested before arrival, helping the team understand your needs and assess the programme’s suitability.
Alongside the shared foundation
- Personalised meal plan guidance and herbal tea recommendations
- Weekly group breathwork, cooking class, and Ayurveda workshop with pharmacy demonstration
- Private yoga and breathwork when needed
- An online or in-person consultation with our medical director to discuss lifestyle changes
- Recommendations for herbal medicine at home
Consider this length if: you are seeking an extended Ayurvedic stay and would like a detailed discussion with the doctor before deciding.
Enquire about 21 days
28 days · An extended programme with a nourishing phase
28 Day Panchakarma Programme
Four weeks allows a sustained programme shaped around your assessment and progress. Subject to your doctor’s care plan, the final seven days include a nourishing phase with herbal preparations and external treatments.
This phase may include Shirodhara, Sarvanga Dhara, Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda, Tarpana and Thaila Vasti. Your doctor chooses the therapies and explains their place in your programme.
Alongside the shared foundation
- Medical reports and an online consultation before arrival when needed
- Personalised meal plan guidance and herbal tea recommendations
- Weekly group breathwork, cooking class, and Ayurveda workshop with pharmacy demonstration
- Private yoga and breathwork when needed
- An online or in-person lifestyle consultation with our medical director
- Recommendations for herbal medicine at home
- A nourishing final seven days, as prescribed by the doctor
Consider this length if: you have four weeks available and the doctor recommends an extended programme that includes time for nourishing care.
Enquire about 28 days
Choose with a clear picture
Compare the four Panchakarma programmes
| Your programme | 7days | 14days | 21days | 28days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four personalised treatments daily | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Arrival, departure and daily doctor reviews | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Cooking and Ayurveda workshops | Subject to availability | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly |
| Group breathwork | Breathwork or sound healing, subject to availability | Weekly | Weekly | Weekly |
| Private yoga and breathwork | Included | Included | When needed | When needed |
| Lifestyle guidance | Departure guidance | With the doctor | With the medical director | With the medical director |
| Herbal medicine recommendations for home | Discuss with the doctor | Discuss with the doctor | Included | Included |
| Nourishing final seven days | Care follows your prescription | Care follows your prescription | Care follows your prescription | As prescribed |
| Plan your stay | 7 day details | 14 day details | 21 day details | 28 day details |
7 days
- Four daily treatments and doctor reviews
- Private yoga and breathwork
- Workshops and group sessions subject to availability
- One cacao ceremony or ecstatic dance
14 days
- Four daily treatments and doctor reviews
- Weekly workshops and group breathwork
- Private yoga and breathwork
- Additional lifestyle consultation with the doctor
21 days
- Four daily treatments and doctor reviews
- Weekly workshops and group breathwork
- Private practice when needed
- Medical director lifestyle consultation and home herbal recommendations
28 days
- Four daily treatments and doctor reviews
- Weekly workshops and group breathwork
- Medical director lifestyle consultation and home herbal recommendations
- Nourishing final seven days as prescribed
Panchakarma procedures and acupuncture are included only when suitable and prescribed. Acupuncture counts within the four daily treatments. The doctor can recommend a gentler plan at any length.
Your care at Rekawa
Meet our Ayurvedic doctor
Dr. Chamodika Gunathilake brings over eight years of clinical experience to her work at Rekawa. She completed her degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and has specialised training in Panchakarma and expertise in Eastern acupuncture.
Your consultation gives you time to discuss what you need from your stay and ask questions about the proposed programme.
Meet Dr. Chamodika Gunathilake →A day shaped around treatment and rest
Herbal tea, meals, prescribed treatments and quiet time give each day its rhythm. Sunrise and sunset yoga are available as part of your programme, with your care plan guiding how you take part. Workshops and private sessions fit around your prescribed care.
Our wider daily rhythm gives you a sense of life at Rekawa. Your Panchakarma schedule is personalised and may differ from a Bespoke Retreat day.
How to choose your stay
Start with the time you have, then speak with our team about your goals and health history. Seven days offers the shortest published programme; fourteen, twenty-one and twenty-eight days give a longer window for prescribed care. Duration alone does not determine suitability, and a longer stay is not automatically the right choice.
Looking for a gentler retreat?
Our Bespoke Ayurveda & Yoga Retreats combine personalised Ayurvedic treatments with yoga, breathwork and meditation, with lengths from one to fourteen days. They offer another way to spend time at Rekawa when a full Panchakarma programme is not what you need.
Explore Bespoke RetreatsBefore you arrive and when you go home
Preparing for your Panchakarma retreat
Begin with your preferred dates and the time you can give to the programme. Our team can help arrange a consultation with the doctor to discuss suitability and the proposed stay. Medical reports and an online consultation may be requested when needed, particularly for longer programmes.
Bring a clear picture of your health
Share your medical history, current medications and supplements, allergies, previous Ayurvedic treatment, and any recent procedures. Let the doctor know if you are pregnant or nursing. Have relevant medical reports available if requested, and bring your questions about treatments, oils or heat.
Leave room for rest and aftercare
Your arrival consultation shapes the treatment schedule, meals and suitable practice. Allow space between sessions and follow the team’s advice about rest. Before departure, discuss which dietary and lifestyle recommendations are practical for home, and any prescribed herbal medicine.
All four programmes are residential. Our team will confirm dates and help you plan your residential stay. You can also read our guide to Ayurveda retreat costs and inclusions.
Frequently asked questions
Which Panchakarma programme length should I choose?
Tell us how much time you have and what you hope to receive from your stay. Our Ayurvedic doctor can assess suitability and recommend a programme. A longer stay is not automatically the right choice for every guest.
Does every guest receive all five Panchakarma procedures?
No. The doctor selects procedures according to your assessment. Panchakarma therapies are included only when suitable and recommended; a gentler Ayurvedic approach may be more appropriate.
How many treatments are included, and is acupuncture extra?
Each programme includes four personalised treatments daily. When suitable and prescribed, acupuncture counts as one of those four. Treatment selection and duration depend on your individual care plan.
What is included in the treatment programme?
Arrival and departure consultations, short daily reviews, four personalised treatments daily and prescribed herbal medicine form the shared foundation. Yoga and supporting activities follow your selected programme and care plan. The seven-day programme’s workshops and group sessions are subject to availability.
Can I join yoga and breathwork during my stay?
Sunrise and sunset yoga form part of the programme, with participation guided by your doctor. The seven and fourteen-day programmes include private yoga and breathwork; on twenty-one and twenty-eight-day stays, private practice is included when needed.
What happens before I book?
Our team discusses your preferred dates and programme and can help arrange a consultation to assess suitability. The doctor may ask about your health history, medications and supplements. Existing medical reports and an online consultation may be requested when needed, particularly for longer stays.
What will I eat during my Panchakarma retreat?
Three Ayurvedic meals are served daily during your residential stay. Your Ayurvedic diet is guided by the doctor and adapted around your care plan; twenty-one and twenty-eight-day programmes include personalised meal plan guidance and herbal tea recommendations. Share any allergies or dietary needs during your consultation.
Where is your Panchakarma retreat in Sri Lanka?
Rekawa Wellness Resort is within the Rekawa Nature Reserve near Tangalle, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Your residential stay brings accommodation, Ayurvedic care and meals together in one place. Explore our accommodation to see where you will stay.
How do I find out prices and availability?
Use the enquiry form below with your preferred dates, length of stay and number of guests. Our team will confirm availability, accommodation options and a quotation for your programme.
How is Panchakarma different from a Bespoke Retreat?
Panchakarma is our clinical Ayurvedic programme, with medical assessment guiding suitability and prescribed procedures. A Bespoke Retreat combines Ayurveda with yoga, breathwork and meditation in a gentler wellness stay. If you are unsure, the team can help you explore which approach fits.
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Guest experiences at Rekawa
Read recent Google reviews from guests who have spent time at Rekawa.
Plan your Panchakarma stay
Make space for a programme of your own
Share your preferred dates, the length you are considering and what you would like from your time at Rekawa. Our team will help you explore the options, arrange a medical review and confirm prices and availability.
Choose Full Panchakarma in the form below. If you are still deciding, choose I am not sure yet.
Your Panchakarma enquiry
Ask about dates and prices, or get help choosing a programme.