Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Wellness Escape in Dharamshala

The retreat runs over eight days and seven nights in Upper Bhagsu, a peaceful hamlet above McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh. The location is about 2.5 km from McLeodganj and can't be reached by motor vehicles, which keeps things noticeably quiet. You're surrounded by forest, and the yoga shala has open views toward the mountains. This is a working yoga school, not a resort, so expect a focused, community feel rather than spa amenities.

Daily classes cover Hatha yoga asana, guided meditation (with several styles), pranayama, mantra chanting, and a yogic cleansing practice called neti. There are also discussion sessions on yogic philosophy and lifestyle, and time to ask questions directly. The teaching is traditional but explained clearly in English. Dr. Keshava leads much of the program and is joined by a small team of instructors who've trained with schools like Kaivalyadhama and completed multi-style teacher trainings.

The food is vegetarian, mostly organic, and cooked with local ingredients – South Indian breakfasts, curries, dhal, and salads. Meals are served three times a day. Afternoons are mostly free, which suits the pace of the retreat. You can take short walks in the woods, visit a nearby waterfall, or simply rest. One full day is set aside for a guided trek into the Himalayan foothills.

The retreat welcomes beginners through advanced practitioners. Because the group is capped at about eight people, the teaching adapts to the levels in the room. The atmosphere is calm but not silent – you can chat with others, explore the local area, or spend time on your own. It's the kind of retreat where you leave with a steadier daily practice rather than just a week of good intentions.

What's included

- Airport pickup & drop-off - 8 days, 7 nights single private room accommodation - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Unlimited filtered drinking water - Daily Hatha yoga classes - Daily guided meditation classes - Daily pranayama (breathing) classes - Day trek to Himalayan mountains - Yoga philosophy and lifestyle discussions - Yogic cleansing (neti) practice - Mantra chanting sessions - Welcome drink - Course manual - Yoga t-shirt, stainless steel water bottle, and yoga bag - Wi-Fi connection - Transportation during the retreat

What's not included

- Airport transfers (if arriving by train/bus – only Dharamsala airport pickup is included) - Travel insurance - Flights cost - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments - Visa fees - Personal expenses