Himalayan Art & Wellness Retreat in Dharamshala with Daily Yoga and Mountain Treks

The Divine Hima is a small luxury property in Sidhpur, a village below McLeod Ganj, opposite the Norbulingka Institute (a Tibetan arts centre you'll visit during the week). The building sits among tea gardens and granite boulders at around 1,400 metres, facing the Dhauladhar range. Inside, every corridor and room is hung with Sanjay's photographs and poems; display cases hold artifacts from his geological surveys and treks.

The yoga programme covers three styles — Hatha for alignment, Vinyasa for flow, Yin for longer-held stretches — taught in a dedicated octagonal hall with carpet and mountain views. Sessions run morning and evening, with pranayama (breathwork) and guided meditation woven in. All levels are welcome; instructors adjust for complete beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.

Day 4 is the Triund trek: a 9-kilometre climb through oak and rhododendron forest to a ridge campsite with 180-degree views of snow peaks. The retreat provides a packed lunch; you'll be back by late afternoon. For those visiting in monsoon season (July–September), the trek swaps to a shorter Bhagsu Waterfall walk when the trail is too slippery.

Cultural stops include the Dalai Lama Temple Complex in McLeod Ganj (the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile), Gyuto Monastery, and the Norbulingka Institute, where Tibetan artisans practise traditional thangka painting, woodcarving, and tailoring. One evening, the chefs run a momo-making class — you'll fold dumplings alongside them and eat what you make.

Food is all-vegetarian, prepared in-house, rotating through Indian, Himachali, Tibetan and continental dishes. Herbal teas and chai are available throughout the day. A 30-minute massage is included; longer sessions and paragliding at Bir Billing are bookable as upgrades.

The property is plastic-free, sources ingredients locally, and hires local guides for all treks — a low-impact model that also supports Tibetan artisan communities through the Norbulingka visits.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in a private room - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, herbal tea, and chai throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily morning and evening yoga classes (Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin) - Daily meditation and pranayama sessions - 30-minute massage - Guided Triund trek with packed lunch - Visits to Dalai Lama Temple Complex, Norbulingka Institute, and Gyuto Monastery - Momo-making class with the chefs - Traditional Tibetan lunch in McLeod Ganj (Day 3) - Nature hikes with a local guide - All transportation during the retreat - Complimentary airport pickup and drop-off (Kangra Airport) - Free parking - Luggage storage - Free WiFi

What's not included

- International or domestic flights - Travel insurance - Indian visa fees - Additional spa treatments beyond the included 30-minute massage - Additional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g. tandem paragliding at Bir Billing) - Laundry (available as paid upgrade) - Personal expenses