Enjoy your perfect yoga holiday with trekking in the Mighty Himalayas! Our spiritual retreats packages are all-inclusive. From the moment you arrive in Rishikesh in Mother India, we at Mahatma Yoga will take care of everything for you! The transportation, accommodation, food, trekking permits, spiritual guide, and yoga lessons are all organised for you!
On your first week of the spiritual retreat in India you’ll enjoy yoga retreat at Mahatma Yoga Ashram, right on the banks of the holy river Ganges. You will have a bright private room with Ganga view and attached bathroom. Besides learning yoga and meditation, you will be visiting spiritual sites like temples and meditation caves in and around Rishikesh. The first week of the spiritual retreat is excellent chance to get to know your fellow trekkers from all over the world. It will give you the opportunity to tune into the upcoming trekking in Himalayas in a calm and comfortable way.
The second week of the spiritual retreat will take you to the world’s highest Shiva temple and Chandrashila peak with one of the finest views of the world – you’ll be witnessing sunrise over 7000 meters high Himalayan peaks! After the trek in Himalayas, we’ll be enjoying some stretching yoga and calming meditation in the midst of wild nature. Your Indian yoga and meditation teacher on the trek is Mahatma Yoga Ashram’s Yoga Master Yogi Ji.
We finish the spiritual retreat at Mahatma Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, where we will have a good night rest after returning from the mountains. The free day at our Rishikesh Ashram gives you an appreciated time to reflect on everything you have achieved in the last week and the memories you have made with your new friends from all over the world. On the last morning along with a delicious breakfast, we’ll say farewell to the group.
➢ We provide a good, healthy and balanced schedule on our yoga retreats. You'll start the day chanting spiritual mantras with us and learning pranayama techniques. You'll have two 1.5-hour Yoga classes a day which is small, encouraging and detailed, taught by our expert teachers, including Yogi Ji.
➢ After the lunch we will gather and take part of some interesting group activities like visiting local temples, meditation cave, trek to the waterfall and venturing into Rishikesh main town to take part of the most devotional Ganga Aarti ceremony in Rishikesh. Two –three times per week you will have the afternoon free, to spend as you wish.
➢ In the evenings you will relax and quiet the mind with us during meditation. Twice a week you'll also have yoga philosophy lectures held by Yogi Ji, where we offer guidance on how yoga can help you lead a more meaningful and purposeful life.
➢ Your Rishikesh yoga retreat will allow you to unwind, relax, become more centred and live a true healthy yoga lifestyle. It is the best possible way to prepare you for the following spiritual experience in the Himalayas.
➢ Two yoga sessions a day
➢ Chanting, meditation, Yoga philosophy lectures
➢ Three healthy vegetarian meals daily
➢ One Ayurvedic massage
➢ Accommodation in a private bedroom with attached bathroom
➢ Free wireless internet connectivity
➢ Local sightseeing, day trek to the waterfall.
The trail offers splendid views from green meadows with livestock to fertile valleys and fields of the Himalayan foothills. The journey will take us along an ancient pilgrim trail that will lead us to Tungnath - the world highest Shiva temple. After reaching the Tungnath Temple, Just 1.5 km ahead we will arrive at Chandrashila peak. On the altitude 11,352 ft (3460 m) it is the world highest Shiva temple. We will attend the puja, daily worship of Shiva in this magical ancient Himalayan stone temple.
Our guide will tell you all about Shiva, also known as the God of Yoga! This will be one of the highlights of your spiritual retreat, adding some profound mysticism to your beautiful Himalayan yoga and trekking experience! The trek to the Chandrashila peak is moderately easy but still among one of the most beautiful treks in the Indian Himalayas.
In the spring the Chopta forest will be blooming with magical pink and red Rhododendron trees, making the area look like a fairy-tale. The region is home for an abundance of rare Himalayan birds, beautiful wildlife and some of the rich flora of the Himalayan region. Chandrashila that literally means “The Moon Rock” is a summit of Tungnath, part of the Himalayan mountain range. It’s located 12,083 feet (3683 m) above the sea level and offers a famous 360-degree view of the snow- capped peaks of the Himalayas, including Nandadevi (25,643 ft / 7816 m), Trisul (23,360 ft, 7120 m), Kedar Peak (22, 770 ft, 6940 m), Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba peaks.
Note: If you are joining the spiritual retreat only for the trekking week, then you will have one complimentary day at our Rishikesh Ashram. On the evening before the departure we gather for group dinner and exchange important information about the upcoming Chopta & Chandrashila trek to world’s highest Shiva temple in Tungnath. The group dinner gives the opportunity to meet and interact with yoga retreat participants who are already enrolled for two weeks program. After a brief meeting and necessary information about the upcoming trekking week, one can rest in a private room.
➢ Our own private transport throughout the Tour (starting from Rishikesh).
Food & Accommodation:➢ 3 delicious vegetarian meals daily
➢ Nice & clean accommodation at Mahatma Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh with a private room, attached bathroom, and free WIFI
➢ Village guesthouses or camping in official campsites with all the necessary camping equipment.
Spiritual & Cultural experience:➢ Visit of local Indian mountain villages
➢ Visit of historical spiritual sites (temples, mythological places).
➢ Morning Yoga lessons in nature
➢ Pranayama practice
➢ Evening Meditations
➢ Living discussions of Yoga Philosophy
Mountain trekking experience:➢ Expert trek leader/spiritual guide
➢ Quality trekking equipment
➢ All government taxes and permit fees
➢ Flights
➢ Pick-up service from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Rishikesh – 70 USD extra
➢ Pick-up service from Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (DED) to Rishikesh – 15 USD extra
➢ For the trek you should have good health, normal physical condition and some previous hiking/trekking experience
➢ Yoga for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels
➢ Trekkers must carry with them a photocopy of visa and passport throughout the tour
➢ Last ATM point in Ukhimath, 13 km before Sari village
➢ No WIFI after Rishikesh. No reliable mobile connection after Sari village.
➢ Backpack with rain cover
➢ Warm cap
➢ Comfortable trekking shoes
➢ Thermal long underwear
➢ Extra pair of socks
➢ Sleeping bag (possible to rent in Rishikesh)
➢ Personal medication
➢ Sunglasses
➢ Sunscreen SPF 30-50+
➢ Torch or headlamp
➢ Camera power bank/portable charger