Ayurvedic Wellness and Yoga Retreat by the Ganges in Rishikesh

The Yan Cure retreat in Rishikesh runs a seven-day program that combines daily yoga and meditation with Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy, naturopathy treatments and acupressure. It is designed for people who want more than a yoga holiday – the treatments are the centrepiece of the week, and they are administered by a small team led by Dr. Praveen Rana, a Ph.D. in Ayurveda who founded the center. Guests get a full course of therapies rather than a single massage, which is what sets this retreat apart from most yoga packages in Rishikesh.

A regular day starts at 6:00 am with an Ayurvedic detox drink, followed by Shat Kriya cleansing and a 7:00 am yoga class. After breakfast there is a Naturopathy therapy session, and in the mid-afternoon a Panchakarma treatment. Evenings are given over to meditation or a walk along the Ganges, with dinner at 8:00 pm and a final Ayurvedic rejuvenation drink before bed. The schedule is structured but not rigid, and there is time in the afternoons to rest, use the pool or head into town.

The team includes several long-standing teachers. Dr. Praveen Rana oversees the therapeutic side, with 16 years of clinical experience in addition to his academic training. Vineet Panday leads yoga – he has a master's degree in yoga from Uttarakhand Open University and trained for 11 years at a Gurukul ashram. Neelam Singh is an Ashtanga and Hatha teacher with an MSC in Yoga Science, and Abhivash teaches classical Hatha along with pranayama and meditation. Between them they cover everything from gentle detox-style classes to more traditional Ashtanga sequences.

The food is strictly vegetarian and Ayurvedic – no eggs, no meat. Breakfast includes porridge, muesli, fresh tropical fruit and one traditional Indian dish that changes daily. Lunch is a spread of salads, soups, lentils, beans, rice and Indian breads, and dinner is traditional Indian food. There are also herbal and masala tea breaks twice a day. Some guests find the detox drinks an acquired taste, but they are all part of the treatment plan.

The retreat has been running for a long time and the reviews reflect that – guests mention the personal attention from the staff, the quality of the treatments and the peaceful location. Most say they came for the yoga but were surprised by how much the therapies did for them. This is not a luxury retreat, nor is it an intense yoga retreat – it is a functional wellness center doing solid Ayurvedic work at a competitive price.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Detox food and Ayurvedic drinks - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama classes - Daily meditation classes - Panchakarma Therapy - Naturopathy Treatment - Acupressure session - 1 hour treatment - Cooking class - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Group excursions/activities - Specialized workshops - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Course manual - Water, tea, coffee throughout the day - Welcome drink - Free parking - Wi-Fi connection

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights costs - Travel insurance - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Visa fee - Additional treatments