Wellness and Adventure Escape on the Ganges

This is a five-night stay at Atali Ganga, a boutique resort runs by the adventure travel company Aquaterra Adventures, who founded the property in 2012. The retreat is built around the idea that you should be able to recharge and test yourself in the same week. The schedule includes four guided yoga sessions, a 24 km rafting expedition on the Ganges, an 8 km riverside hike, a sunrise trip to Kunjapuri Temple, and a guided cultural tour of Rishikesh. There's also a village-to-confluence excursion to Devprayag.

What sets this retreat apart is the quality of the outdoor leadership. Sanjay, one of the most experienced raft guides in the country, grew up in Sarasu village, considered the birthplace of India's raft guides. Sunita, one of the first female river guides in India, leads the high ropes and wall climbing sessions. The activities are run to professional safety standards, with life jackets, helmets, and briefings included.

The location is central to the experience. Atali Ganga is built into a hillside overlooking the Ganges, with views of the Shivalik Hills and the river valley from most rooms. The White Water Cafe is the communal heart, where meals and bonfires happen. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, about a two-hour drive, and transfers are included.

Sustainability is a core part of how the property runs. It's a zero-effluent, zero-discharge site, meaning all waste and sewage are treated on-site and reused as manure and irrigation water. There are no plastic bottles or single-use packaging; glass bottles are refilled. Accommodation is in 22 cottages, each with a private patio or balcony, deliberately without TVs to encourage you to spend time outside.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in a private cottage with balcony or patio - Airport drop-off - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks - Water, tea, coffee - 4 x guided yoga sessions - 1 x 24 km rafting expedition on the Ganges (Grade III rapids) - 1 x Riviera hiking trip with transfers - Private Ganga Aarti by the river (Saturday evening only) - Rishikesh cultural tour with guide and transfers - Devprayag day trip with guide and transfers - Trip to Kunjapuri Temple for sunrise - Arrival and departure transfers from Rishikesh/Dehradun - Wi-Fi connection

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Credit card/payment processing fees - New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve dinner surcharges - Bottled water and aerated drinks - Tips and gratuities - Laundry services - Extra nights beyond the retreat - Additional treatments at the spa - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Lunch at Be Monk Restaurant on Day 3