Himalayan Yoga & Hiking Wellness Retreat in Rishikesh

The retreat opens at Akshat Yogashala, a small ashram a short walk from the Ganges in Rishikesh. Days one through three cover the basics: a traditional Havan fire ceremony, morning Shatkarma cleansing practices, Hatha yoga sessions, pranayama, meditation and a philosophy class. You'll also attend the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony on the riverbank — hundreds of oil lamps, chanting, crowds of pilgrims — which is one of the more memorable evenings you'll have anywhere.

On day four you leave by road for the Garhwal Himalayan foothills, stopping at Devprayag (where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganges) and the Dhari Devi Temple. The mountain accommodation is basic but comfortable, and the next three days are given over to trekking: Tungnath Temple at 3,470 metres followed by the Chandrashila summit at 3,690 metres, then Deoria Tal — a high-altitude lake with Chaukhamba peak reflected in the water — and finally Kartik Swami Temple at 3,050 metres. Each trek involves several hours of walking, some steep sections, and genuinely spectacular views of the greater Himalayan range. Evenings feature bonfires and early nights.

Day eight brings you back to Rishikesh for a final yoga session, a sharing circle, a complimentary Ayurvedic massage and a farewell dinner. You leave on day ten with a certificate and, if the weather held, a camera full of mountain panoramas.

What sets this apart from a typical Rishikesh yoga retreat is the Himalayan trekking block in the middle. Most ashram programmes keep you in town; this one puts you on trails at altitude, visiting temples that are genuine pilgrimage sites rather than tourist stops. The instructor, Rajat Purwal, holds a Master's in Yogic Science and has trained in the Iyengar alignment tradition, so the yoga is technically precise rather than loosely 'spiritual'. Reviews consistently mention his attention to correct form and his ability to work with injuries.

What's included

- 9 nights accommodation (shared twin room in ashram and mountain lodges) - 3 daily vegetarian sattvic meals - Water, tea and coffee throughout the day - Welcome herbal tea and refreshments - Daily Hatha Yoga classes - Daily meditation sessions - Daily pranayama classes - Yoga philosophy sessions - Shatkarma cleansing practices - Yoga Nidra sessions - Vedic Fire Ceremony (Havan) - Guided Himalayan treks (Tungnath, Chandrashila, Deoria Tal, Kartik Swami) - Mountain accommodation with heating - Professional event photos - Complimentary Ayurvedic massage - Airport pickup from Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) - Pickup from Haridwar Railway Station (if arriving by train) - All transportation during the retreat - Visit to Ganga Aarti ceremony - Visit to Devprayag and Dhari Devi Temple - Certificate of completion - Pre and post retreat support - Free parking - WiFi - Luggage storage

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Indian visa fees - Additional spa treatments or massages - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Personal expenses - Tips and gratuities