7-Day Hatha Yoga & Wellness Retreat in the Himalayan Forest Near Rishikesh

Maunvan (Silent Forest) is not a resort; it's a working yoga ashram and teacher training school, which gives it a very different feel from a typical retreat center. The land is deliberately kept wild and forested, creating the atmosphere of an ancient Gurukul, where students historically lived in the forest and learned from a teacher. That spirit is still alive here. Guests join in the daily rhythm of practice, meditation, and simple living, and the days have a natural, unhurried pace.

Your schedule includes two daily yoga classes, one in the morning and one in the evening, each roughly 90 minutes. These are traditional Hatha classes, taught in the style of the Himalayan tradition, with a strong focus on alignment, breath, and holding postures. Between sessions, there's pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. Mornings begin at 7am with mantra chanting in the yoga hall, and evenings wind down around a fire, often with more chanting or discussion of yogic philosophy. This is not a fitness bootcamp—it's a deep, immersive yoga experience.

Dr. Yogi Vijay Rayal, known to everyone as VJ, leads most of the practices. He was initiated into Vedic mantra and Tantric yoga by his grandfather, a Hindu priest, at the age of eight, and brings that lifelong knowledge to every class. His teaching is described by guests as wise, humble, and incredibly detailed. He's supported by a small team who handle everything else—from cooking to organizing hikes—so you can focus entirely on your practice.

The ashram is located in the buffer zone of Rajaji National Park, a tiger reserve, and is surrounded by forest. You can walk out the gate and into the wild, and the area is home to a huge variety of Himalayan birds. The famous Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a short drive away, and the ashram can arrange trips there. This is a place to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the natural one, exactly as yoga was originally taught.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation in shared or private room - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - Specialized workshops - Group excursions and activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Professional event photos - Course manual - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Luggage storage - Parking - Wi-Fi connection - Morning sunrise/sunset trip with transport and guide (when booking through the site) - Packed food for sightseeing (when booking through the site) - Meditative walk in nature (when booking through the site) - Post-retreat integration support (online session, value $200, when booking through the site)

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments (e.g. Reiki, Ayurveda) - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Laundry services - Private classes - Extra nights and meals (unless arranged separately)