3-Day Himalayan Yoga & Wellness Escape in Rishikesh

Aananda Yog runs this retreat from a small ashram in Tapovan, about an hour from Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport and five or six hours by road from Delhi. The location is genuinely peaceful — you're on the banks of the Ganga, with the Himalayan foothills rising behind the property, and the river's sound is constant.

Days follow a set rhythm. You wake early for a 90-minute Ashtanga-influenced yoga and pranayama session (7:00–8:30am), then sit down to a vegetarian breakfast. Mid-morning is usually an excursion — the three-day programme includes a visit to the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat and, conditions permitting, a walk to one of the local waterfalls. Lunch is sattvic (no onion, no garlic, no eggs), followed by rest time. The afternoon Hatha yoga session is gentler, winding down into an evening meditation before dinner.

Dharmraj Ji, the founder, trained under Himalayan yogis before setting up Aananda Yog in 2019. He holds a Yoga Alliance RYT-200 certification and leads most sessions himself, adjusting the practice to suit beginners and experienced practitioners alike. The teaching style is traditional — classical Hatha and Ashtanga postures, breath-led movement, and seated meditation — rather than the flow-heavy approach you'd find in a Western studio.

Accommodation is simple but comfortable: a private room with an attached bathroom, 24-hour hot water, good WiFi, and window blinds. Air conditioning is available for an extra charge. Meals are cooked fresh in the ashram kitchen using ingredients sourced from local village vendors — expect khichdi, dal, rotis, vegetable curries, seasonal fruit, and the region's ginger-cardamom-cinnamon masala chai.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in a private room with attached bathroom - 3 daily organic sattvic meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily morning yoga and pranayama sessions - Daily afternoon Hatha yoga sessions - Daily meditation classes - Guided sightseeing excursion (Ganga Aarti or local temple) - 24/7 free high-speed WiFi - 24-hour hot running water - Yoga mats and props

What's not included

- International or domestic flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport or railway station transfers (available on request for extra charge) - Air conditioning (available on request for extra charge) - Personal expenses - Optional activities not listed in the programme