India · 8 days
A typical day starts quietly with morning meditation, then pranayama to open the breath, then a yoga asana class. Breakfast is satvik — simple, vegetarian, organic. Mid-morning is for study: philosophy, anatomy or chakra work depending on the day. There is a rest window before lunch, an afternoon yoga or meditation ses…
Home › India › Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Retreat in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala
India · 8 days
A typical day starts quietly with morning meditation, then pranayama to open the breath, then a yoga asana class. Breakfast is satvik — simple, vegetarian, organic. Mid-morning is for study: philosophy, anatomy or chakra work depending on the day. There is a rest window before lunch, an afternoon yoga or meditation session, then mantra chanting or spiritual study. The evening closes with bhajan kirtan and dinner.
What separates this from a general yoga holiday is the study. You are not just doing postures. Pranayama is taught as breath work tied to energy and attention, with clear safety guidance — if you have a breathing condition, are pregnant or have had recent surgery, check with a doctor before joining intense breathwork. Anatomy sessions look at alignment in the shoulder, hip, spine and knee so postures feel stable. Chakra study is presented as part of the subtle body tradition, to approach with curiosity rather than blind belief.
Two Himalayan treks are built into the programme. Walking at altitude changes your breathing and steadies your pace, and it balances out the sitting and chanting with fresh air and open views. A sightseeing outing covers the local area — McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala are known for monasteries, temples, viewpoints, mountain cafés and Tibetan culture.
The teaching comes from a family-run ashram with roots going back to 2002 and its own premises since 2014. It is Yoga Alliance certified and has welcomed students from over 50 countries, with more than 140 reviews. The family atmosphere shows in the daily kirtan and the way spiritual study is woven into ordinary ashram life rather than staged as an event.
Location matters here. McLeod Ganj sits just above Dharamshala in the Himalayan foothills, surrounded by pine trees, prayer flags, mountain roads and quiet walking paths. Mornings are cool and fresh, the pace is slower than India's big cities, and the Kangra Valley opens up below the ashram. It is a place that supports practice simply by being quiet.
- Two daily yoga classes - Two daily meditation classes - Pranayama sessions - Yoga philosophy classes - Anatomy study - Seven chakra study - Spiritual study sessions - Mantra chanting - Daily bhajan kirtan - Two Himalayan treks - Sightseeing in the local area - Organic satvik food - Cosy room with attached bathroom - Hot and cold water - Kangra Valley views - Wi-Fi - Purified drinking water
- Travel to and from Dharamshala - Flights and road transfers - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Medical costs - Optional extras not listed as included