7 Day Wellness Escape: Yoga, Meditation & Ayurveda in Rishikesh

Vihana Retreat was started in 2022 by Sandeep, who grew up in a Himalayan village, trained as a chef, and worked abroad before coming back to Rishikesh to run a guesthouse attached to a yoga school. The retreat is his own place, and it shows in the small touches: the staff know your name by day two, the kitchen remembers what you asked for at breakfast, and the host checks in with each guest personally.

A typical day includes two yoga classes led by a rotating team of teachers, all of whom have been teaching for at least eight years. Sonu Ji teaches Hatha, Ashtanga, and Acro Yoga with a focus on alignment and safe adjustment. Shivam Ji leads meditation, pranayama, and Iyengar-style classes. Ajay Ji, who trained at a Sanskrit school, brings in elements of Vedic ritual and chant. The variety keeps the practice fresh even if you have been doing yoga for years, and the teachers adapt to beginners without fuss.

The Ayurvedic program is woven through the week rather than bolted on. A doctor meets you early in the stay, takes your pulse, and suggests a personal diet and therapy plan. Treatments like massage with Rupa ji or sound healing with Anna ji are available as add-ons, and guests often book more than one session after the first. Between classes and treatments, there are group excursions—a drive to the Ganges for the evening aarti, a waterfall hike with pranayama at the top, a cooking class where you learn a couple of Gujarati or North Indian dishes, and a wander through the Rishikesh market.

The location is Upper Tapovan, which means you are surrounded by other yoga schools and backpacker cafés rather than traffic fumes. The retreat house itself has a newly built rooftop with views over the foothills, a garden with potted plants, and a small library. It is not a fancy resort—rooms are medium-sized with wooden furniture, fans, and hot water—but it is clean, cared for, and exactly the kind of base you want for a week of practice and quiet.

What's included

- Airport Pickup - 6 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Welcome drink - 1 hour treatment - 30 minute massage - Cooking class - Group excursions/activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Luggage storage - Wifi connection - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Daily pranayama classes - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Free access to extra yoga classes at the sister TTC school (space permitting)

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not part of the retreat - 60 minute massage (optional add-on) - $25 USD - Private class (optional add-on) - 5 USD - Additional treatment (optional add-on) - $25 USD - Laundry service (per kg) - Extra nights - Honeymoon or special celebration services - Childcare