6 Day Mindfulness and Hatha Yoga Retreat in the Himalayas

The retreat is run by Abhyasa Yogmath, an ashram set in the forest near the village of Taliyal Gaon, about six kilometers from Rishikesh. Getting there is part of the experience: vehicles stop at a drop-off point and you walk the final ten minutes up a steep forest path to the property. Staff carry your bags, and the walk serves as a transition from the noise of the road into the quiet of the ashram. The property sits on a hill surrounded by trees, with views over the valley and a simple, functional feel — clean rooms, shared or private bathrooms, a yoga shala, and a garden. The retreat runs for six days and five nights, with check-in at 2 PM and check-out at 11 AM on the final day.

The program is structured around the Gurukul tradition, where students live with their teacher and absorb yoga as a way of life rather than just a class. Mornings start with tea and prayers, followed by a group Hatha yoga and pranayama session, then breakfast. Mid-morning there's either a meditation session or Yoga Nidra, and on two days a guided nature walk to a waterfall. Late afternoon brings a second yoga class, and evenings finish with chanting, kirtan, bhajans, and aarti. One hour of silence is observed after the evening program each night. From day four the intensity increases, with morning detoxification practices and a full silent day on day five for inner reflection. The final morning includes a sunrise meditation and silent walk, followed by a sound bath with singing bowls and a closing Yoga Nidra.

Lead teacher Saurabh was born in Rishikesh in 1996 and grew up around the yogis and masters who lived in the area. He completed his higher studies in Dehradun, practiced on his own for years, and began teaching in 2017. He holds a Yoga Alliance certification from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanvantari Ashram in Kerala, and later returned to Sivananda's Uttarkashi ashram to assist on their teacher training course. He's now part of the Aatma Yoga family in Rishikesh, where he teaches Hatha yoga, meditation, and philosophy. Reviews consistently mention his ability to explain the philosophy behind the practices in an accessible way and to tailor the pace to each student's level, including complete beginners.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in shared or private room - Daily yoga classes (morning and evening) - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - All meals (vegetarian and vegan healthy meals) - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Group excursions and activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Transportation between camps - Safe drinking water - Course manual - Herbal tea - Professional event photos - Towels and toiletries - Luggage storage - Free laundry - Pre and post retreat support from our team - All taxes and fees - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Travel to the retreat - Travel insurance - Flights costs - Visa fee - Local visit to Rishikesh - Airport pickup and drop-off (available at additional cost) - Any kind of personal expenses