7 Day Yoga, Sightseeing & Waterfall Hiking in Rishikesh, India

The retreat is run by SaptaShuddhi Yoga and Wellness Center, a place in Rishikesh that also goes by the name Ananda Yoga and Wellness Center in older guest reviews. It sits on a hill in the Tapovan area, close enough to the Ganges that you can walk down for riverside yoga, but far enough that it feels separate from the main tourist drag. The name SaptaShuddhi translates as 'seven levels of purification,' and the programs here tend to balance asana practice with meditation, philosophy, and Ayurvedic ideas.

A typical day here is structured but not rigid. Mornings begin with pranayama and a yoga session, often Hatha or Ashtanga depending on the day. One morning each week the practice moves down to the banks of the Ganges. Breakfast follows, then there's a block of time that might be a spiritual video lecture, time in the library, or self-study. After lunch and a couple of hours of free time, there's tea, then another yoga class, then meditation or Yog Nidra, then dinner. The schedule is firm enough to give the week shape but leaves space for rest or exploring.

What makes this different from a purely asana-focused retreat is the sightseeing woven into the week. On the first evening, guests walk over the Ram Jhula bridge to see the Ganga Aarti, the fire ceremony that happens on the ghats at dusk. Another day includes a trip to Vashisht Cave, a meditation cave associated with the sage Vashishta. And there's the early morning drive to Kunjapuri Temple, a hilltop shrine with a panoramic view over the Ganges valley. These outings are optional but they ground the retreat in the place.

The teaching is solid. Pranjal Ji leads many of the sessions, drawing on his training in Sivananda, Ashtanga Vinyasa, and Kundalini Yoga, and he has a knack for explaining yoga philosophy in plain terms with stories. Shree Acharya Eknath Ji brings a more scholarly background, with a master's degree in Sanskrit and years of living in ashrams. Shubham Ji, a younger instructor with a post-graduate degree in Yogic Science, handles classical Hatha and philosophy. Between them, there is a real range of expertise.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in shared or private rooms - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama classes - Daily meditation classes - A Sound Healing or Yog Nidra session - Group excursions and activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Transportation during the retreat - Luggage storage - Parking - Wi-Fi connection - Free cancellation up to 1 day before arrival

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments - Airport transfers (available for an extra fee)