Yoga Retreats in India

Yoga retreats in India: what to expect

A retreat is a different trip from a teacher training. There are no long lectures or assessments, the days are shorter, and you can come for a few days rather than a month. Many retreats still keep a traditional timetable, with an early-morning class, pranayama and an evening meditation or chanting session, so expect early nights.

10 of the 18 retreats here are in Uttarakhand, the Himalayan state that includes Rishikesh. Elsewhere, retreats on the coasts of Goa and Kerala pair yoga with beaches and Ayurvedic food, and in Rajasthan yoga comes with the palaces and forts of the desert cities.

Many retreats in India are run from ashrams or yoga schools rather than hotels, and they have house rules: modest dress, no alcohol or meat on the premises, set meal times, and sometimes a curfew or silence in the evening. They're part of the atmosphere, and worth asking about before you book.

16 of the 18 programmes here start between $240 and $2,770 per person, and the median starting price is $599. Fees usually cover the room, the meals and the classes; Ayurvedic massages and treatments are often extra.

Length

3–14 days

Median length

7 days

Starting prices, per person

$240–$2,770 (16 of 18)

Median starting price

$599

Prices are converted from each host's currency at the European Central Bank reference rate of November 3, 2026.

Before you book

• India's official e-Visa site lists attending a short-term yoga programme among the purposes of the e-Tourist visa; check the current rules for your nationality.
• Ask for the house rules and the daily timetable before you pay a deposit.
• Check the room: hot water, heating in a northern winter, and whether the bathroom is shared.

Frequently asked questions