6-Day Yoga & Wellness Escape in Rishikesh with Aerial Yoga

This six-day retreat with Agni Yoga India is based in Tapovan, a leafy neighborhood of Rishikesh set back from the busiest parts of town. The ashram itself is a peaceful compound with a garden, a yoga shala, and mountain views. It's a short walk to local shops and cafés, and about ten minutes to the river for the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.

Your days follow a gentle rhythm: an early morning pranayama session to work on breath control, followed by a Hatha yoga class that eases the body awake. After breakfast, there's usually an excursion or free time. Afternoons bring a more dynamic Ashtanga Vinyasa class, then a guided meditation as the light softens. In the evenings, you'll have Yin yoga — long, passive holds that target deep connective tissue — before dinner at 7 PM. Lights are out by 10 PM, which encourages actual rest.

What sets this retreat apart from a standard yoga camp are the extras. You'll try aerial yoga, where you're suspended in a silk hammock, which turns a normal asana class into something playful and genuinely fun. There's also a sound healing session, using singing bowls and other instruments to shift the mental state. The excursion list includes a hike to a waterfall (the 'Neer Garh' waterfall, which is a favorite), a dawn trip to watch the sun rise over the Himalayas, and the famous Ganga Aarti — a fire ceremony held on the riverbank at sunset. The week ends with mantra chanting.

The teaching team is experienced and roots the practice in the local tradition. Lavish, a Rishikesh native, leads pranayama and philosophy; Lakhiram, trained at the Himalayan Yoga Institute in Haridwar, teaches meditation and kirtan; Ashish, who has degrees in yoga science, handles asana alignment; and Dr. Nishant, a 500-hour certified teacher, often leads the vinyasa flow. With such a small group, you get plenty of personal attention and can ask questions easily.

The accommodation is simple but comfortable — rooms have attached bathrooms, hot water, and Wi-Fi. It's not a luxury resort; it's an ashram. But for a retreat focused on practice and simplicity, it's the right setting. The food is Sattvic and freshly cooked, with an emphasis on vegetables, lentils, and rice, and there's always a good amount of it.

What's included

- Airport pickup (free) - 5 nights accommodation in a private or shared room - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) - Daily yoga classes (Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Aerial) - Daily pranayama classes - Daily meditation classes - Group excursions and activities (sound healing, waterfall hike, Ganga Aarti) - Nature hikes with a local guide - Transportation during the retreat - 1-hour treatment (massage or similar) - Wi-Fi connection - Luggage storage - Parking - Pre and post-retreat support from the team

What's not included

- Travel insurance - Flights costs - Visa fees - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments (extra massages, private classes)