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Last updated: February 2024
Looking for the best yoga retreats in Rishikesh, India? Look no further!
What better destination for your next yoga retreat than the birthplace of yoga? Located in the foothills of the Himalayas and on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, the holy town of Rishikesh has a lot to offer, from its powerful energy to gorgeous scenery and views.
Read on to help you plan your Rishikesh yoga retreat. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know before booking your yoga getaway in India, based on my own experience and expertise as a certified yoga teacher and savvy solo traveler.
In a hurry? Click here to see my favorite yoga retreat in Rishikesh now!
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Why Do a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
Yoga Capital of the World
Every yogi should study yoga in Rishikesh at least once in their lives. This Hindu pilgrimage town is known as the yoga capital of the world and offers some of the best yoga retreats in India—and in the planet!
Because of the city’s rich yoga tradition, which dates back thousands of years, you’ll find several of the world’s top yoga and meditation schools and ashrams right here in Rishikesh.
Practicing yoga in amazing Rishikesh can be a life-changing experience. Besides visiting the city where yoga originated, you will also be able to enjoy special Ayurvedic therapies to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Spirituality
Also called The Land of God, Rishikesh is considered one of India’s most holy cities.
As such, it is visited by many locals on pilgrimage, as well as foreigners looking to get a taste of the spiritual air and all the feelings, inspiration, and motivation that goes with it.
Outdoor Adventures
In addition to all the visitors looking for yoga classes in Rishikesh, many travelers go to Rishikesh for outdoor adventures.
Known as the adventure sports capital of India, Rishikesh offers lots of fun options, such as white-water rafting, mountain cycling, bungee jumping, kayaking, hiking, and more.
Delicious Food
If you love Indian food, you’ll thoroughly enjoy each meal you are served in Rishikesh.
Some of the dishes you may find being served at local restaurants or retreat centers include samosas, aloo poori, Garhwali, phaanu, and mandua ki roti.
However, you’ll want to prepare yourself for a vegetarian lifestyle when you visit Rishikesh. All the restaurants in the city only serve vegetarian food due to a city ordinance. Similarly, only non-alcoholic beverages are available.
Best Time to Go on a Yoga Holiday in Rishikesh
The best time to plan a Rishikesh yoga holiday is typically between the middle of September and April. During these months, the temperature should be pleasant, but not too hot.
While you can also plan a yoga holiday in Rishikesh during the summer, you may find that the temperature is too warm.
Early March is also an excellent time to visit Rishikesh for yoga. Each year, the International Yoga Festival is held in Rishikesh during the first week of March.
Best Yoga Retreats in Rishikesh
Himalayan Meditation & Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Vinyasa, Nidra, Ashtanga, Karma
Skill Levels: Beginner
Duration: 3 days
Meals Included: Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No, but available for $15 per person from Jolly Grant Airport and $75 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
If you are looking for meditation retreats in Rishikesh, this 3-day retreat hosted by the Yoga Vidya Mandiram Yoga School is one you’ll want to consider.
During the retreat, you’ll participate in daily mantra recitations and relaxation, along with daily yoga and meditation sessions.
You’ll also enjoy learning about Indian philosophies and practicing breath awareness and pranayama.
The retreat also offers time to explore Rishikesh and some of the various shrines and temples in the region.
Click here for more info and booking.
Ashram Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Power, Ashtanga, Mysore
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 15 days
Meals Included: Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No, but available for $20 per person from Jolly Grant Airport and $100 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
Have you been searching for a yoga ashram in Rishikesh? With this 15-day retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to stay in an Ashram-style room, helping you appreciate the importance of simplistic living.
The retreat also features two daily yoga classes and traditional Indian ceremonies.
Time to explore the area and visit local caves and ancient temples, walk along the River Ganga, or explore the Himalayas is also included each day for a truly memorable experience.
Click here for more info and booking.
Luxury Ayurveda Retreat in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Kundalini, Yin, Restorative, Nidra
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 5 days
Meals Included: Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Yes
This Ayurvedic retreat in Rishikesh takes place at a wonderful clinic and spa operated by doctors offering traditional Ayurvedic treatments.
Each day, you’ll enjoy an Ayurveda treatment customized to your specific care needs. These treatments can help improve your overall health, happiness, and growth opportunities.
In addition to the daily Ayurvedic treatments, this yoga holiday also offers daily meditation, yoga, and mantra chanting sessions.
You’ll fill the rest of your days visiting temples, exploring local villages, and taking relaxing nature walks.
Click here for more info and booking.
Revitalizing Waterfall Hiking & Yoga Holiday in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 6 days
Meals Included: Three daily vegetarian meals
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Yes, from Jolly Grant Airport, and available for $75 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
Visit Hare Rama Institute for this rejuvenating Rishikesh retreat.
Geared towards individuals looking for an adventurous experience, the retreat includes activities such as hiking to a waterfall, white water rafting (during the summer months) and visiting the Beatles Ashram.
Several yoga, meditation, and pranayama sessions are also worked into the schedule.
Click here for more info and booking.
Yoga, Meditation, & Body Purification Retreat in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Kundalini, Kriya, Tantra, Chakra
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 11 days
Meals Included: Three daily vegetarian meals
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No, but available for $13 per person from Jolly Grant Airport and $70 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
Plan your stay with the Triguna Yoga school in Rishikesh for a memorable and revitalizing experience.
As you participate in daily yoga classes and meditation sessions, your instructors will guide you in learning more about how the body and mind are related.
You’ll also learn breathing techniques and discover how the five elements, meditation, asana, breathing, and emotional detoxification can benefit your physical and mental health.
Your instructors will also help you learn how to emotionally detox by releasing negative emotions and the harmful side effects they can bring.
Click here for more info and booking.
Blissful Ayurveda Detox Yoga Holiday in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 8 days
Meals Included: Daily Ayurvedic breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Yes
Travel to the outskirts of Rishikesh for this wonderful retreat that takes place along the foothills of the Himalayas.
During the 8-day retreat, rediscover yourself with a daily morning class, a daily guided evening meditation session, and a relaxing stay in one of the beautiful living units of Veda5.
The retreat also offers a consultation and pulse diagnosis with a doctor, a one-hour daily Ayurvedic steam massage, and a lecture from Ayurveda and yoga experts.
Click here for more info and booking.
Waterfall Hiking & Sightseeing Yoga Holiday in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga
Skill Levels: Beginner
Duration: 7 days
Meals Included: Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No, but available for $10 per person from Jolly Grant Airport and $55 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
Learn at a top yoga center in Rishikesh when you sign up for this 7-day yoga course in Rishikesh.
The retreat offers the ideal mix of meditation, pranayama, and yoga combined with excitement and adventure.
Participating in waterfall hikes, sightseeing around town, taking a white-water rafting tour, and visiting a cave are just a few of the many exciting activities that you’ll engage in.
Click here for more info and booking.
Ayurveda, Yoga Wellness, & Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Iyengar, Kundalini, Vinyasa, Vipassana, Kriya, Nidra, Ashtanga, Transformational, Thai, Forrest, Japa, Chakra, Critical Alignment
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 4 days
Meals Included: Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: No, but available for $21 per person from Jolly Grant Airport and $98 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
Wellness retreats in Rishikesh offer such a wonderful opportunity. This 4-day wellness, meditation, and Ayurveda retreat is no exception.
One of the highlights of this retreat is the daily Ayurveda massage and treatment.
Along with these daily treatments, you’ll also improve your consciousness by practicing self-awareness, meditation, and kriyas.
Other notable aspects of the retreat include the sacred cleansing fire in the evenings, a Kundalini initiation, nature walks, and the use of the fresh steam water pool.
Click here for more info and booking.
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh
Yoga Styles: Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, Ashtanga, Therapeutic
Skill Levels: All
Duration: 25 days
Meals Included: Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport
Airport Transfer Included: Yes, from Jolly Grant Airport, and available for $75 per person from Indira Gandhi International Airport
If you aspire to be a yoga teacher, you won’t find any better training opportunities than attending a yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga.
This training retreat, which is geared towards individuals of all skill levels, will help you improve your craft and provide you with the skills and knowledge to help others.
At the end of the training, you’ll be eligible to register for certification with Yoga Alliance.
Some of the many topics covered by the course include yoga postures, sequences of yoga practices, pranayama, yoga gestures, meditation, yoga anatomy, and yoga philosophy.
Click here for more info and booking.
If you’re searching for the top yoga retreats in India, Rishikesh is an excellent destination to consider.
As the yoga capital of the world, it offers a unique opportunity to perfect your craft in a city where so many people have learned and benefited from the teachings of yoga.
Beyond its spiritual side, Rishikesh also offers beautiful weather, gorgeous views, and plenty of fun things to see and do.
When will you be planning your trip to Rishikesh for a yoga holiday?
Attending a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
As with any other kind of physical activity, joining a yoga retreat is not without its risks. While yoga is generally safe, accidents and injuries can happen anywhere and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to be prepared for the worst, especially when you’re in a foreign country.
That’s why travel insurance is so important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.
They cover overseas medical assistance in case of accident or illness, a wide range of sports and activities including yoga, travel delay or interruption, lost checked luggage, emergency medical or political evacuation, natural disasters, and personal liability, at very competitive prices.
You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.
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