Himalayan Wellness and Yoga Retreat in Dharamsala

The retreat centre sits tucked into the hillside near Naddi, a short walk from Dal Lake and about fifteen minutes from the main McLeodganj market. The rooms look out over the Kangra Valley, and the surrounding forest is quiet enough that you mainly hear birds and temple bells. The school is part of a small ashram complex, so there’s a lived-in, communal feel rather than a polished resort atmosphere.

Each day follows a rhythm that doesn’t change much: chai at 6:30, a 90-minute yoga and pranayama class, breakfast, then either a short walk or a longer trek, a philosophy talk, lunch, an afternoon excursion to a temple or market, tea, a second yoga class, meditation, and dinner. The Hatha yoga classes are taught rather than led—teachers correct your alignment and work with whatever level you arrive at. The meditation sessions mix mantra chanting, bhajan, and some guided practice, drawing on the school’s bhakti and Gyan yoga background.

The afternoon excursions are the real highlight for most people. Guests visit the Dalai Lama’s monastery in McLeodganj, walk part of the Triund trek trail, and go to local temples like the Gallu Devi Temple near the centre. These aren’t rushed tourist stops—you get time to wander, look around, and actually be in these places. The Sunday arrival day is just check-in and dinner, and the final Saturday evening and Sunday morning are for packing up and heading out.

The lead teacher and school founder, Sarvottam Kumar, is an ERYT-500 certified instructor who has been running this school in Dharamsala and Rishikesh for several years. He’s known for being direct and thorough in his teaching. Reviews mention that the teachers are attentive and the schedule is punctual, with a few noting that the school is better at running retreats than it is at managing longer teacher-training courses—one negative review complains about a 200-hour course that didn’t meet expectations. For the retreat itself, the feedback is consistently positive, particularly from first-time retreat-goers.

What's included

- 7 days, 6 nights accommodation - 3 daily meals (Monday - Saturday) - 2 daily yoga and meditation classes - Daily meditation classes - Triund trekking - Temple and market visit - Free Wi-Fi - Filtered drinking water - 2 local sightseeing excursions

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flight costs - Bus transfer - Transportation to and from the market - Travel insurance - Any personal expenses