Rishikesh - Wellness & Yoga Retreat (Taj Mahal Extension)

Exploring the area around Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula

After breakfast, opening ceremony with a swami (pandit) and sacred fire "swaha" .

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the city on foot, from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula , a beautiful walk along the Ganges , and a contemplative break by the river. Rishikesh combines natural beauty, yoga expertise, and spiritual depth, making it an exceptional place for a revitalizing and transformative retreat.

Attend the fire ceremony, the Aarti , at Triveni Ghat . This puja is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering, made to the goddess Ganga, at dusk, in one of India's holiest cities.

Dinner in a traditional restaurant and return to the hotel by Tuk Tuk .

Full board Holy River Hotel

Rishikesh - Pilgrimage in the Jungle

Morning yoga class followed by breakfast.

Departure for a visit to the Beatles Ashram , also known as Chaurasi Kutia , a historically and culturally important site. This ashram gained worldwide fame when the legendary group stayed there in the late 1960s .

Lunch at a local restaurant.

We set off on a mindful walk to the Mooni Baba hermitage , a small sacred cave and spiritual retreat nestled in the jungle . It's a place where yogis and contemplative visitors go to meditate , withdraw from the outside world, and connect with a silent, spiritual atmosphere , far from tourist centers.

At the end of the day, yoga class at the hotel followed by dinner.

Travel time 1 hour 30 minutes round trip

Early morning departure to witness the sunrise at Kunjapuri temple , facing the Himalayas , silence, sacred temple and golden light , a moment of pure contemplation where the mountain slowly awakens.

Return to the hotel, breakfast and free time.

In the early afternoon, visit the Balkuwari Devi temple , dedicated to the goddess Parvati , symbol of divine feminine power (Shakti) , at an altitude of approximately 1300 meters in the mountains. The view over Rishikesh is breathtaking .

At the end of the day, yoga class at the hotel followed by dinner.

Full board Holy River Hotel

Today you enjoy a free day to explore Rishikesh at your own pace, including lunch, dinner and a massage for each participant.

Take a stroll around Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula , where you'll find many small local shops selling Indian clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, malas (prayer beads), incense, Ayurvedic oils , and spiritual souvenirs. Rishikesh also boasts numerous peaceful cafes perfect for a break. Enjoy a chai tea or a fresh juice overlooking the river.

In the late afternoon, join us for a traditional Indian cooking workshop . Learn to cook as they do in Rishikesh, using spices chosen for their beneficial properties , techniques passed down through generations, and the warmth of authentic sharing. This workshop immerses you in the flavors of sattvic Indian cuisine , the kind that nourishes the body and soothes the soul. You'll leave with recipes, new knowledge, and perhaps a new way to cook at home.

At the end of the day, yoga class at the hotel.

Full board Holy River Hotel

Travel time 45 minutes

Yoga class followed by breakfast.

After breakfast, transfer to the Ananda Lok ashram followed by lunch and a yoga session on site (subject to availability).

In the afternoon, meditation at the Vashishta Caves , one of the oldest and most peaceful meditation sites in the region. According to Hindu tradition, this cave was the meditation site of the sage Vashishta , one of the seven great sages of India (Saptarishis) and the spiritual teacher of the god Rama . It is said that he came here to meditate and find inner peace on the sacred banks of the Ganges .

Today, the cave is preserved by a small ashram and remains a place dedicated to silence and meditation . Inside, the atmosphere is very calm and almost mysterious: a Shiva linga lit by oil lamps , where visitors simply sit in silence in the natural darkness of the cave .

Then satsang with Mata Ji , an English-speaking Indian spiritual teacher , followed by a sacred bath in the Ganges . The river here is very close to its source, completely unpolluted , and its banks are magnificent. The Ganges holds a central place in the hearts of the Indian people; it is said that its waters bring spiritual wisdom to the believer as well as deliverance to the deceased .

Settling into the ashram in Rishikesh and free time.

Full board Night at Parmath Niketan Ashram

Yoga class , followed by breakfast.

Before departure, an Ayurvedic consultation with a local practitioner . Ayurveda originated in India over 5,000 years ago , and Rishikesh remains one of its vibrant centers. During this intimate exchange , you will discover your constitution (dosha) , the dietary and lifestyle principles that resonate with you, and how to integrate these teachings into your daily life. This is not a theoretical lecture: a conversation, a meeting, a personalized teaching .

Next, we set off for Patna Waterfall , one of the most beautiful natural waterfalls around Rishikesh. To reach it, a hiking trail of approximately 1 to 1.5 km winds through the forest, an easy 20 to 30-minute walk accompanied by birdsong and the sound of the water gradually approaching. An ideal stop combining a short hike , the refreshing coolness of the water, and immersion in the Himalayan jungle .

Return to the hotel in Rishikesh.

In the evening, **immersion with the inhabitants of Rishikesh:** celebration, traditional music and family dinner , a moment of authentic human warmth.

Full board Holy River Hotel

Transfer to New Delhi International Airport. End of a journey rich in silence, encounters and profound insights.

Extend the experience. Before leaving India, experience one of the world's greatest masterpieces .

After your retreat in Rishikesh , a road leads you to Agra across the plains of Uttar Pradesh . The next day at dawn, the Taj Mahal awaits you in the golden morning light , before the arrival of the crowds, in an almost surreal silence . Guided tour of the site and Agra Fort , then return to Delhi for your flight.

One journey. Two experiences. Himalayan serenity and Mughal eternity.

You leave Rishikesh for Agra , the former capital of the Mughal Empire and an iconic city in northern India. Throughout the journey, you cross the fertile plains of Uttar Pradesh , dotted with traditional villages and scenes of local life.

Lunch en route.

Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy free time to rest or relax.

At the end of the day, enjoy a free stroll in the surrounding area or some rest at the hotel to prepare for the morning visit the next day .

Dinner at the hotel or in a traditional restaurant.

Full board Lunch and dinner included Coral Tree Homestay Hotel

We set off very early in the morning to experience one of the most beautiful moments of the trip: the sunrise over the Taj Mahal . At dawn, the golden light reflects on the white marble and gradually transforms the monument into a silent and almost unreal atmosphere .

A UNESCO World Heritage Site , the Taj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal . Its perfect symmetry, refined gardens, and the purity of its architecture make it one of India's absolute jewels .

Guided tour of the site in the cool of the morning, when the gardens are still calm and bathed in serenity.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Then a visit to Agra Fort , an impressive red sandstone fortress that served as an imperial residence for the Mughal rulers.

Lunch then departure by road to New Delhi .

Check-in at the hotel and free time.

Full board Lunch and dinner included at Zaza Stay Hotel

Depending on your flight schedule, you'll have free time to relax or enjoy your last moments in India. Transfer to New Delhi International Airport . The end of your journey , rich in spiritual discoveries , authentic encounters , and inspiring landscapes . Included in the price.