Best Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh (2026): 3, 5 or 7 Days Compared

The best yoga retreat in Rishikesh is the one that fits your time, your budget and what you want from the week. A good choice starts with clear facts.

So this guide shows our three retreats side by side. You get the price, the timetable and the list of what is included. Then it helps you decide if a retreat is right for you, or if a teacher training would suit you better.

Written by Mayuri Shewale, E-RYT 500 (Yoga Alliance) and founder of Swaastik Yog School in Rishikesh. I have taught yoga for more than fifteen years. Every price, timing and inclusion below comes from our own retreat pages.

3-, 5- and 7-day retreats compared

Here is everything in one table. All three retreats follow the same daily timetable. What changes is how many days you get, how many excursions and ice baths are included, and the price.

	3-Day Retreat	5-Day Retreat	7-Day Retreat
Length	3 days / 2 nights	5 days / 4 nights	7 days / 6 nights
Price (USD)	$100	$200	$250
Price if paid online (INR)	₹8,500	₹17,000	₹21,000
Cost per day	about $33	$40	about $36
Room	Shared (double sharing)	Shared (double sharing)	Shared (double sharing)
Meals	3 vegetarian meals a day + afternoon tea	3 vegetarian meals a day + afternoon tea	3 vegetarian meals a day + afternoon tea
Guided sessions	4 a day	4 a day	4 a day
Ice bath sessions	1	2	3
Half-day excursions	1	2	3, including the Ganga Aarti
Published batch dates	1st–3rd of every month	5th–9th of every month	10th–16th of every month
Certificate	Participation	Participation	Participation
Best for	A first taste, or a stop on a longer India trip	A real reset in one week of holiday	The full week. The two extra days cost only $50 more than the 5-day

One thing surprises people. The 7-day retreat costs only $50 more than the 5-day. For that you get two more days, one more ice bath and one more excursion. The 7-day is also the retreat that lists the evening Ganga Aarti as one of its excursions. If you can spare the time, it is the better deal.

If the published dates do not fit your trip, message our team before you book. Tell them the week you are in Rishikesh and they will confirm the start day that works.

What is included in every retreat?

All three retreats include the same basics. You do not pay extra for any of these:

• Your room on our campus in Tapovan, shared with one other guest.
• Three fresh vegetarian meals a day, plus afternoon tea.
• Four guided sessions a day: shatkarma (yogic cleansing) with pranayama, meditation, Hatha Vinyasa flow and Ashtanga Vinyasa.
• Yoga materials: mat, blocks and strap.
• Ice bath sessions and half-day excursions (the number depends on your retreat length).
• Wi-Fi and a quiet place to rest.
• A participation certificate at the end.

What is not included: flights, your visa, transfers from Dehradun or Delhi, laundry and personal spending. Air-conditioned rooms and a private-room upgrade are available at an extra cost. Ask our team for the current price before you book.

Want to compare our room types in detail? Read our guide to dorm vs shared vs private rooms.

What does a retreat day look like?

A retreat day starts at 6:00 AM and ends with lights off at 9:00 PM. You get four guided sessions, three meals and a long free block in the middle of the day. This is the timetable from our retreat pages.

Time	Session	What you actually do
06:00 AM	Morning bell	Wake up, wash, a glass of water. No breakfast yet.
06:30 AM	Shatkarma & pranayama	Yogic cleansing practices and breathing techniques.
07:30 AM	Meditation	Guided, seated meditation. Beginners are taught step by step.
08:30 AM	Hatha Vinyasa flow	Steady postures linked with the breath.
10:00 AM	Breakfast	Your first meal, after the morning practice.
11:00 AM – 01:00 PM	Free time / excursions	Rest, walk to the river, or join a half-day excursion.
01:00 PM	Lunch	Fresh vegetarian food, cooked in our kitchen.
04:00 PM	Ashtanga Vinyasa	A more dynamic afternoon practice.
05:30 PM	Tea break	Afternoon tea and time to talk.
07:00 PM	Dinner	On the 7-day retreat, some evenings are for the Ganga Aarti.
09:00 PM	Lights off	Early sleep, so you are fresh for 6:00 AM.

The morning: practice on an empty stomach

The first three and a half hours are the heart of the day. You practise before breakfast, which is the traditional way. The town is still quiet, and so is the shala.

Shatkarma means cleansing. It can include techniques such as jala neti (rinsing the nose with salt water). If that sounds strange, do not worry. Our teachers show you each step, and nothing is forced.

The middle of the day: real rest

From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM you have lunch and a lot of free time. This is on purpose. A retreat is not a boot camp. Sleep, read, or sit by the Ganga. On excursion days, this is when we go out.

The afternoon and evening: move, then slow down

Ashtanga Vinyasa at 4:00 PM is the most active class of the day. If you are new, you take the easier version of each pose. After tea and dinner, the day winds down. Lights go off at 9:00 PM.

What are the ice baths and excursions?

These are the two extras that make our retreats feel different from a simple yoga holiday.

Ice baths. You sit in cold water for a short, guided session. You get one on the 3-day retreat, two on the 5-day and three on the 7-day. It is meant to be a challenge, so go at your own pace. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or are pregnant, tell us before you arrive, and check with your doctor. You can always skip it.

Excursions. These are half-day trips during the free block. The 7-day retreat includes three, listed on its page:

• The Ganga Aarti. The evening prayer ceremony on the riverbank, with oil lamps, chanting and bells.
• Temple visits. Sacred sites around Rishikesh, with time to learn what they mean.
• A Himalayan nature walk. A walk in the forested foothills around town.

The 3-day and 5-day retreats include one and two half-day excursions. For ideas on what to do with your own free time, see our guide to things to do in Rishikesh.

Is a retreat or a teacher training right for you?

A retreat is a rest with daily yoga. A teacher training is a course with exams. Both happen on the same campus, but they are very different weeks. Here is how they compare.

	Yoga retreat	100-Hour TTC	200-Hour TTC
Length	3, 5 or 7 days	14 days	22 days
Starting price	$100 (shared room)	$275 (dorm)	$440 (dorm)
Meals	3 a day + afternoon tea	2 a day (brunch and dinner)	2 a day (brunch and dinner)
Study and exams	None. You just practise.	Theory, anatomy and philosophy	Full syllabus plus a teaching exam
Certificate	Participation certificate	Course certificate	Lets you register as RYT 200 with Yoga Alliance
Can you teach after?	No	A first step toward teaching	Yes

Choose a retreat if you want to rest, reset and practise, with no homework.

Choose the 100-hour yoga teacher training if you have two weeks and want to study yoga properly, without committing to the full course.

Choose the 200-hour yoga teacher training if you might want to teach one day. It is the standard first certificate for yoga teachers. Read what RYT 200 means to see how it works.

There is one more option if you have exactly a week. Our aerial yoga teacher training also runs for 7 days and starts every Monday. It is a certificate course, so it is more focused than a retreat. And if you only have a spare morning, our drop-in classes cost ₹500 for a single class.

Not sure what a training day feels like? Our post on a day in the life of a 200-hour training walks you through it hour by hour.

How do you choose the right retreat length?

Most people choose by the days they have. That is fine. But here is a simple way to think about it:

If this sounds like you...	Choose
"I have a long weekend and I have never done a retreat."	3-day retreat
"I am travelling around India and Rishikesh is one stop."	3-day or 5-day retreat
"I am tired and I need a real break, but I only have one week off."	5-day retreat
"I want the whole experience, including the Ganga Aarti."	7-day retreat
"I want the most yoga for my money."	7-day retreat
"I want to learn to teach."	200-hour TTC

In our experience, the first two days are for settling in. Your body gets used to the 6:00 AM bell and the food. The real rest often starts on day three. That is why we suggest 5 or 7 days if you can manage it.

What should you check before booking any yoga retreat in Rishikesh?

Whether you book with us or with another school, ask these five questions. A good school answers them clearly, in writing.

1. What exactly is included? Ask about meals per day, room type, excursions and materials. "All-inclusive" can mean very different things.
2. Who teaches? Ask for the teachers' names and their Yoga Alliance profiles. You can check a profile on the Yoga Alliance website.
3. What is the daily timetable? If a school cannot show you one, the retreat may be loosely organised.
4. What is the cancellation policy? Our fees and booking amount are non-refundable, though in an emergency you can move to another batch. Know any school's policy before you pay.
5. Where is it? Many yoga schools are in Tapovan, near Laxman Jhula. Check how far the school is from the river.

Is a retreat in Rishikesh safe for women travelling alone?

Many women come to Rishikesh alone, and a retreat on a school campus is a gentle way to start. Swaastik Yog School is women-led: it was founded and is headed by me, and female staff are on campus at all times. Our dormitories are separated by gender, and we have a written code of conduct for teachers and students. Men are welcome in every retreat. You can read more on our women-led yoga school page, and our honest guide to whether Rishikesh is safe for solo female travellers.

When is the best time for a yoga retreat in Rishikesh?

We run retreats all year. But the season changes the experience a lot.

• October to November: Clear skies after the rains and comfortable days. A very popular time, so book early.
• December to January: Cold mornings and evenings, sunny afternoons and fewer travellers. Bring warm layers for 6:00 AM.
• February to April: Warm, pleasant and busy. The yearly International Yoga Festival is held in Rishikesh in March, so the town fills up.
• May to June: Hot. Fine if you like heat and want a quieter town.
• July to September: Monsoon. Heavy rain at times, very green. Excursions may change with the weather.

For a month-by-month view, read the best time to visit Rishikesh for yoga. Coming from abroad? You will need an Indian visa before you fly. See our India visa guide for the steps.

How do you book a retreat with us?

Booking takes three steps:

1. Pick your retreat on the 3-day, 5-day or 7-day page.
2. Send the registration form, or message us on WhatsApp with your dates.
3. Our team confirms your batch and explains how to pay.

Please read the terms before you pay. Attendance at all classes is expected. Meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, tobacco and drugs are not allowed on the retreat. Fees and booking amounts are non-refundable, but in an emergency you can move to another batch.

Our school is on Badrinath Road in Tapovan, Rishikesh. Pickup from Dehradun airport or Delhi can be arranged. It is not included in the retreat price, so ask our team for a quote.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a yoga retreat in Rishikesh cost?

At Swaastik Yog School in Tapovan, our retreats cost $100 for 3 days, $200 for 5 days and $250 for 7 days. Each price covers a shared room, three vegetarian meals a day, four guided yoga and meditation sessions a day, ice baths and half-day excursions. Paid online in rupees, they are ₹8,500, ₹17,000 and ₹21,000.

Is a 7-day yoga retreat in Rishikesh worth it?

For most people, yes. Our 7-day retreat costs $250, only $50 more than the 5-day. You get two extra days, three ice baths and three excursions, including the evening Ganga Aarti. The first two days are mostly for settling in, so a full week gives you more time to actually rest.

Do I need yoga experience to join a retreat?

No. All three retreats are open to all levels, including complete beginners. Teachers show easier versions of each pose, and meditation and breathing are taught step by step. If you have an injury or health condition, tell us when you book.

Do I get a certificate after a yoga retreat?

You get a participation certificate. It is not a teaching qualification. If you want to teach yoga, you need a teacher training such as our 200-hour course, which lets you register as an RYT 200 with Yoga Alliance.

What food is served on the retreat?

Three fresh vegetarian meals a day, plus afternoon tea: breakfast at 10:00 AM after the morning practice, lunch at 1:00 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM. Meat, fish, eggs and alcohol are not served or allowed.

Can I get a private room on a retreat?

Yes. Retreat prices are for a shared room (double sharing). A private-room upgrade and air-conditioned rooms are available at an extra cost. Ask our team for the current price when you book.

When do retreats start?

Our retreat pages list monthly batches: the 3-day on the 1st–3rd, the 5-day on the 5th–9th and the 7-day on the 10th–16th of each month. If those dates do not fit your trip, message us with your week and our team will confirm what is possible.

What is the difference between a yoga retreat and a yoga teacher training?

A retreat is 3 to 7 days of daily yoga, meditation, rest and excursions, with no study or exams. A teacher training is a structured course with theory, anatomy, philosophy and a teaching exam. Our 100-hour course runs 14 days and our 200-hour course runs 22 days.