10 Day Himalayan Traditional Cultural Experience Retreat with Yoga, Meditation, and Hiking in India
"Himalayan Meditation and Yoga Retreat in India"
Program Overview
Experience the beauty of unexplored regions of the Himalayas through Gurukul Yogashala. De-stress and get away from technology while rediscovering yourself. This Himalayan retreat is for all nature lovers and yoga and meditation practitioners, and for those who wish to have a taste of a 5000 year old authentic Himalayan culture. At Gurukul Yogashala, you will have a chance to rejuvenate and...
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- Take some time to relax with yoga, meditation, and sound healing practices
- Participate in the traditional welcome ceremony and relish Pahadi Cuisine from local farms
- Enjoy your time with nature and its rivers, mountains, and forests
- Learn about the Himalayas' culture, languages, and traditions
- Visit Rishikesh and participate in the spiritual excursions
- Stay at cozy places for 9 nights and enjoy great memories from the trip
- Hike on the beautiful trails of the Himalayas
- See the sacred temples, rural communities, and people of the Himalayan region
At a glance
Yoga styles
Check-in Time: 11:00
Check-out Time: 11:00
Facilities
Gurukul Yogashala has simple yet comfortable ashram-based accommodations, which are tailored to meet the needs of yoga students and include private and shared rooms:
Himalayan Yoga, Meditation, Hiking Retreat in India
Gurukul Yogashala invites you to take an extraordinary trip to the Himalayas and explore yoga, meditation, and the culture of the region.
Encounter the long-living Himalayan Culture through a visit to the traditional Villages of the Himalayas. This place is one of the most famous ones on Earth as it is the cradle of Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda.
By being with us, you will have a chance to discover not only the unique culture of the Himalayas but also the spirit of yoga through yoga practice sessions.
Retreat Highlights:
- Explore the ever-mysterious Himalayan welcome ceremony
- Enjoy your stay in the spiritual town of Rishikesh and be part of Indian culture
- Live in traditional wooden houses made from Himalayan wood in the heart of the mountains
- Hike on spectacular mountain trails and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains
- Visit ancient historical temples of the area rich with the culture of ancient times.
- Taste light and delicious local food of the region.
- Enjoy daily yoga practice and meditation in a natural setting
- Be in touch with nature and regenerate your mind and spirit
- Discover the beauty of life in Himalayan villages.
What to expect:
- Daily yoga and pranayama sessions
- Guided spiritual excursions
- Opportunities to connect with local Himalayan tribes
- Delicious Pahadi cuisine
- Stunning natural beauty and serene landscapes
Indian Culture in Rishikesh:
Cultural experience in Rishikesh in the form of colors, sounds, and tastes. See ancient temples, witness the Ganga Aarti, and enjoy delicious vegetarian food.
Day 1: Arrival in Rishikesh
Your day of arrival. All the participants of the retreat come to Rishikesh to Gurukul Yogashala's ashram from all parts of the world. This is the day when you will meet your fellow seekers.
What are you going to experience?
- Check in to your accommodation once you arrive in Rishikesh
- Attend the introduction session
- Relax and explore the city
- Have a traditional Indian meal and take a rest
Day 2-8: Beginning of the Journey to the Himalayan Region
This day marks the beginning of your adventurous journey to the captivating Himalayan Region.
What to expect from the experiences to come?
- See a Himalayan Sunrise
- Experience breathtaking views during the journey to the Himalayas
- Explore local markets and shops and taste delicious street food
- Enjoy a delectable Pahadi dinner in the evening and spend the night at a warm and cozy Himalayan homestay.
Active days, Relaxing days
These are the days when we will reach the Himalayan region and enjoy the beautiful Himalayas.
Note:
The destination for the Himalayan trip will be planned according to the weather conditions to ensure that it is as relaxing as possible.
What to expect from the trip?
Himalayan Sunrise
You will be able to experience gorgeous sunrises in the Himalayas during your trip. Enjoy the tranquillity of fresh morning mist accompanying the sunrise far from the city crowd.
Himalayan Culture Tradition
The Himalayan Culture Tradition focuses on a deeply spiritual love for nature, nomadic pastoralist practices such as yak herding, sustainable practices of living, and a unique bridge between your inner and higher self. Explore the richness of the 5000-year-old traditions together with local inhabitants and meet them to watch their daily life and get involved in their culture.
Hiking
Hiking is a form of recreation practiced by walking on the paths for one or more days. Hiking will happen every day to visit ancient traditional temples and hiking points in the Himalayas.
Yoga Session
Throughout the retreat, every day you will be having yoga asana sessions, practicing yoga movements along with breathing movements and connecting your body to the mind through yoga. The training will help you meditate and connect with yourself again.
Pranayama Session
With the Pranayama session, you will gain knowledge of breathing correctly through the breath work techniques. These techniques will not only play a key role in releasing stress during your retreat, but will also assist you in practicing the same after the retreat is over. The session will create an environment for you to develop the feeling of peace with your inner self by cutting out external sounds.
Meditation Session
The meditation sessions will be held every day during your stay, providing you with an opportunity to spend some time with yourself and recognize your feelings without any judgement. This session will also expose you to various forms of meditation that can be used even after the retreat.
Day 9: Departure from the Himalayan Region to Rishikesh
Your adventure in the Himalayan Region comes to an end. You will depart for Rishikesh with unforgettable memories of your stay in the majestic mountains.
Departure Day - Departure from Rishikesh to your next destination
You will be departing from the Ashram with loads of memories and friendship of a lifetime, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after your Himalayan yoga and meditation retreat.
But you will stay in our hearts and will be part of the Gurukul Yogashala family.
Excursions offer a vital dimension to your yoga journey, providing a well-rounded experience that extends beyond the yoga mat. Through these excursions, you not only rejuvenate your body and soul but also gain a profound appreciation for the traditions and landscapes that shape the yogic path.
- Experience Holy Ganga Aarti and kirtan
- Embrace the spiritual heritage of Rishikesh with temple visits and ashram visits
- Embrace the local culture of Rishikesh
- Hiking to the Himalayas
- Ancient temple visit - Kunjapuri Temple, Gangotri Temple
- Hike to Sattal Harsil - cluster of 7 lakes
- Enjoy the age-old cultural tradition of Himalayan villages
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Cleansing and wholesome nutrition for your practiceNutrition is considered an integral part of the yogic learning at Gurukul Yogashala, where one employs a sattvic vegetarian style of cooking in accordance with Ayurveda. The kind of cooking used in the course is believed to be nourishing for the mind as well as being easy on the digestive system for rigid programs followed by practitioners.
One can expect the kitchen to offer three freshly cooked vegetarian meals daily that would consist of rice, lentils (dal), chickpeas, seasonal vegetables, and Indian flatbreads along with fresh salads.
The kitchen operates on all vegetarian and vegan principles
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon snacks, drinking water, and tea are all included in your course fee.
Students with allergies or special dietary needs are advised to inform us during the course booking so the kitchen can plan correctly.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Whole food
- Yogic
- Ayurvedic
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organizer when making a reservation.
Cultural Excursion
During the course of the retreat, you will be part of two cultural excursions around Rishikesh, which will help you to connect with the local culture and people.
Rishikesh is the hub of interesting activities ranging from spiritual exploration to adventure and leisure. Below are some of your options:
Temples: Rishikesh is home to numerous temples, such as Triveni Ghat, Parmarth Niketan Temple, and Bharat Mandir.
Ganga Aarti: Have an enriching experience by observing the amazing Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the River Ganga.
Adventure Sports: Rishikesh is one of the few geographical locations in the world that provides the opportunity for adventure activities like white-water rafting, trekking, and zip-lining.
Ayurvedic Treatment: Relax with some Ayurvedic therapy and massages.
Beatles Ashram: Visit the Beatles Ashram, once inhabited by the group.
Wildlife safari: Visit Rajaji National Park, not far away from Rishikesh, and enjoy the exotic scenery.
Camping: If you want to do something really adventurous, pitch a tent or stay in a cottage by the riverside.
Local markets: Visit local markets to buy handicrafts and jewellery.
Visit nearby towns: Visit nearby cities like Haridwar and Devprayag to learn more about the rich culture and history.
Participate in Satsangs: Many ashrams conduct Satsang to provide spiritual teachings and promote spiritual growth.
Go hiking to see great views: Go for a hike to Kunjapuri Temple or Neer Garh Waterfall and be thrilled with awesome panoramas of the Himalayas.
Influence ecological approach: Do environmentally friendly activities and take part in a cleaning campaign to save the environment.
Enjoy local food in cafes and restaurants: Try various cuisines from around the world in various cafes and restaurants that serve vegetarian and vegan menus.
Cross the iconic suspension bridges: Make a visit to Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges and enjoy their magnificent views.
Go hiking and trekking in the Himalayas: Explore local villages in the mighty Himalayas and see for yourself what they are famous for.
- Opportunity to experience age-old and authentic Himalayan culture
- Daily yoga sessions
- Daily meditation sessions
- Daily breathwork sessions
- Gurukul Yogashala's continuous support during the retreat
- Guided spiritual excursions in Rishikesh and the Himalayas
- Participation in holy Indian ceremonies and kirtan, your own puja (offering)
- Neti pot
- Stay connected with 24-hour Wi-Fi access
- Provided yoga mats, blocks, straps, bolsters for daily yoga practice
- Purified 24/7 water
- Herbal tea and drinks
- 3 delicious and nutritious meals to keep energized
- 9 nights of accommodation
- Roundtrip airfare
- Visas
- Insurance
- Transportation to the airport (can be arranged upon request for 100 USD)
- Room heaters (available upon request for an additional fee of 100 USD)
- Air conditioning (can be requested for an additional cost of 100 USD)
- Additional activities
Beautiful and serene location in Rishikesh, carefully chosen to provide the perfect setting for your yoga journey.
Recommended Airports
Arrival by airplane
Fly into Jolly Grant Airport (DED). Gurukul Yogashala has a shuttle bus that is free from Dehradun Airport to the ashram on the date of arrival. Pickups are usually in the morning and evening. Let the school know the details of your flight in advance so they can arrange your slot. If you arrive outside of these times or on a different day, you can request a transfer for an additional charge.
From Delhi (DEL): Private transfer is available upon request and for an additional fee (~70 USD one way).
From Chandigarh (IXC): Private transfer is available upon request and for a fee (~100 USD one way).
Delhi and Rishikesh / Haridwar are connected by regular trains. Ensure you book on the official site or app of the Indian Railways to avoid missing trains.
Buses from Delhi to Rishikesh are available throughout the day; however, services are usually not available after 9 p.m.
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price. The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled. The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
- A reservation requires a deposit of 15% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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