7-Day Himalayan Yoga and Sightseeing Retreat in Rishikesh, India

Atharv Yogshala sits in the village of Raiwala, just outside Rishikesh, on the edge of Rajaji National Park. The setting is quiet and green, with deer and peacocks sometimes visible around the property, and the Ganges – and a forest – only a five-minute walk away. The retreat centre is an ashram-style space that was founded by an Indian-German couple, which shows in the way it blends traditional yogic discipline with a grounded, accessible approach that works well for international guests.

A typical day begins at 6am with a walk, then Kriya Yoga – the yogic cleansing practices – before your first Hatha asana class of the day, followed by pranayama. Breakfast comes at 8am or 9am, and late mornings are deliberately open. This is not a full-on schedule; the structure leaves real space for rest, journaling, and absorbing where you are. One morning involves a sunrise temple visit in the Himalayas, and one evening you'll witness the Ganga Aarti on the banks of the Ganges. Lunch is at 1pm (or 1:15pm), after which the afternoon is yours until a 4pm asana class. The afternoon styles rotate between Hatha Vinyasa, Yin, and Ashtanga, sometimes indoors, sometimes outside on the yoga deck. Evenings close with meditation or kirtan around 6pm, followed by dinner at 7pm.

Your host and lead teacher is Kuldeep Bisht, who founded Atharv Yogshala after his own transformative journey to Tungnath, one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. He completed a 500-hour certification in Kerala and has spent years guiding teacher trainings and retreats across India. He teaches with clarity and attention to detail, weaving in anatomy and philosophy without making it feel like a lecture. Other teachers on the team include Lisa, who trained in Rishikesh and Varkala and has a special interest in women's health, and Rajat Purwal, a naturopathy doctor who has been teaching since 2017. All of them are described by guests as warm, supportive, and deeply knowledgeable.

What really sets this retreat apart, though, are the small human moments. Guests in the reviews mention being invited to a local wedding, sharing chai with village families, and feeling genuinely welcomed into Kuldeep's world. The longer nine-day version includes the Himalayan treks – to Tungnath and the optional Chandrashila peak, Devprayag, Deoriya Tal, and Kartik Swami Temple – which many say is the most memorable part of their trip. If you have the time, that's the version to book, but even the seven-day retreat gives you a real taste of this way of life.

What's included

- Airport Pickup - 6 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water and tea served throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - Cooking class - Group excursions/activities - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Transportation during the retreat - Luggage storage - Parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights cost - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments