Thrive Breakaway in Rishikesh & Chopta Valley, Northern India

For thousands of years, Rishikesh, the World Capital of Yoga, has been one of India’s holiest and most spiritual centers. It is a magical city on the blue banks of the sacred Ganges river, nestled under the gaze of the mystical Himalayas. Filled with temples and surrounded by emerald jungles, hidden waterfalls, and pristine nature, Rishikesh is a jewel of an entry into the deep Himalayas and a gateway for those seeking to go deep into their meditative practice.

The Himalayas stretch across the northeastern portion of India. They cover approximately 1,500 mi (2,400 km) and pass through the nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal. The Himalayan range consists of three parallel ranges, often referred to as the Greater Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas, and the Outer Himalayas. While intimidating mountains like Everest and 2K tend to dominate our perceptions of the region, the Himalayas are rich in biodiversity.

Often referred to as “the third pole,” the climate ranges from tropical at the base of the mountains to perennial snow and ice at the highest elevations. These complex and diverse eco-regions are interconnected and revered for their sacred inspiration.

See it on Google Maps

View it on Google Maps

DAY 1
RISHIKESH | WELCOME TO THE YOGA CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the mother, Ganges, and a cup of chai. Relax, unwind, and put your bags down and feet up as we prepare you for the next ten days of breaking away. Kick off your Northern Indian adventure with an afternoon yoga session, followed by a vegetarian feast with the group.

DAY 2
RISHIKESH | ALL IN FROM THE BEGINNING

Start your day with morning yoga and a healthy breakfast. Then, we’ll explore the incredible town of Rishikesh. Take a walking tour through Lax Manjula and a tour through the ruins of the Beatles Ashram. After a day of exploring, unwind with a yoga class and a group dinner.

DAY 3
HIMALAYAS | AWAKEN WITH THE SUN

After breakfast, we set off by bus to the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. During our drive, we will make stops along the way until we arrive in a traditional Hindu village. There, we’ll take a short trek into this magical location. Our evening includes yoga, dinner, and tent camping overnight.

DAY 4
HIMALAYAS | WELCOME TO VILLAGE LIFE

Enjoy your morning yoga practice with the sounds of Mother Nature, followed by a hearty and home-cooked breakfast. Learn how the villagers live off the land, collect cattle food, and prepare their own meals. Village lunch, rest, and relaxation are followed by evening yoga and dinner.

DAY 5
HIMALAYAS | A DAY TO EXPLORE

Wake up with the sun and enjoy your morning yoga practice, followed by breakfast. Today, you’ll have the choice to hike to the village's highest point or unwind and relax with the locals. A group lunch using native ingredients will be followed by time to yourself and, later, evening yoga and dinner.

DAY 6
HIMALAYAS | ADVENTURE AWAITS

After morning yoga and breakfast, we depart the village, with the blessings of the local people, for Chopta Valley (a 2-3 hour drive). After reaching our new camp, we will meet for yoga, a campfire, and a group dinner. We will spend the night in glamping-style tents.

DAY 7
HIMALAYAS | AS OUR MINDS START TO OPEN, OUR BODIES WILL FOLLOW

An early morning breakfast is followed by an optional 7 km hike to Lake Deoria Tal, situated at 2,500 m. Enjoy your packed lunch along the way. After returning to our “glamp,” we will meet for yoga, a campfire, and a delicious group dinner.

DAY 8
HIMALAYAS | A PLACE OF WORSHIP

After breakfast, we’ll trek 4,000m to India's highest Lord Shiva temple. After we reach the summit, we will stop at Tungnath temple for a chai and reflection. Later, we will enjoy our final night in the Himalayas under the stars with yoga, a campfire, and a group dinner. This will be our last overnight stay in glamping-style tents.

DAY 9
RISHIKESH | RETURN TO RISHIKESH

After our morning yoga practice and breakfast together, we make our way back to Rishikesh. We’ll enjoy a locally inspired lunch along the way before returning to the hotel. Check in, savor a warm shower, and spend the afternoon as you wish. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional group dinner.

DAY 10
RISHIKESH | YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Rejuvenate with a much-needed sleep-in. Enjoy your included massage and spend the day relaxing, shopping, or exploring. Collect some last-minute gifts, visit an ashram, and meet the group in the afternoon for the retreat closing circle and an Aarti fire ceremony on the river Ganges. Then, we’ll share one final dinner as a group.

DAY 11
RISHIKESH | WE LEAVE THE MOUNTAINS, BUT THE MEMORIES REMAIN

It's time to say goodbye. Enjoy our last breakfast as a group, and according to your flight schedules, we will chauffeur you back to the airport. Fly to your future destination with the sweet memories of Mother India.

Depending on the weather, yoga will be held inside or outside on the grass overlooking the mountains.

Whatever your capability or level of experience, you are truly welcome. We strongly encourage beginner yogis to join us, as this is a wonderful opportunity to find inspiration for starting a personal practice.

For more experienced yogis, this is a great place to deepen your yoga practice and grow spiritually.

We will supply you with a simple yoga mat. If you are mat fussy, please bring your own.

Hiking Grade: Moderate

The trails are generally suitable for beginner hikers who want a challenge. The terrain involves a moderate incline and some steeper sections. Please be aware that you are in the Himalayas, the highest mountain region in the world. The high altitude has a bigger impact on hiking than the grade. Training is highly recommended for all levels of fitness.

• Small hike into our village camping: 0.6 miles (± 1 km)

• Village hike day: 5 Miles (± 8kms)

• Hike to Lake Deoria Tal: 4.5 miles (± 7 km)

• Hike to Tungnath Temple: 8 miles (± 13 km

Of course! Click on the links below to reach out to the team at Create Space Yoga.

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All meals will be sattvic (vegetarian) to support your daily yoga practice.

Prepare to be nourished from the inside out with delicious and unique food experiences.

Special dietary restrictions? Let us know in advance, as they’ll be happy to accommodate.

*Included in this retreat are 2-3 meals per day. The third meal and snacks will be at your own expense. Please budget anywhere between $10 - $25 per meal, depending on your choice of restaurant and order.

Flights are not included.

Flights are not included.

Arrive via Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Take a domestic flight to to Dehradun Domestic Airport (also known as Jolly Grant), arriving no later than 4pm on the first day of the retreat.

If you choose to use our included transfer services (recommended), you will be collected from the airport and driven to Rishikesh, roughly 40 minutes from the airport (this may vary depending on traffic).

Ground transport to and from Dehradun airport included on the retreat start and end dates only.

If booking is open, you can reserve your spot directly on this page by placing a deposit (see pricing section).

If not, you can join the waitlist and we’ll notify you as soon as dates become available.

Request a detailed digital brochure for here from our travel partner Create Space Yoga, a yoga travel agency, for our Northern India Retreat.

Each retreat includes accommodation, all scheduled yoga and meditation sessions, most meals, and curated excursions. Exact inclusions vary by location — see the “What’s Included” section above for full details.

Flights, travel insurance, and optional personal expenses like spa treatments or additional excursions are not included. Check the “What’s Not Included” section for specifics.

Absolutely! Many of our travelers come on their own. You can book a private room or request to be paired with a roommate in a shared room (when available).

Unless you’re paying for the retreat in full up front, a $500 deposit is required to secure your spot.

When booking you can choose the following payment options:

• Pay in full

• Deposit and balance payment

When paying in full a deposit is not required.

All payments are non-refundable, no matter the reason for cancellation. For this reason travel insurance is required for all retreat participants.

Since all retreat payments are non-refundable, we strongly recommend securing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. This protects you before your trip (in case unexpected circumstances prevent you from attending) and during your journey (in the event of personal injury, illness, lost baggage, or damaged belongings).

If you don’t yet have a trusted insurance provider, your credit card company may provide travel insurance options, or you could go with an established company like IMG Global or Travelex Insurance.

We do our best to accommodate most dietary needs. Be sure to let us know during registration so we can make arrangements with our chefs and venues.

All levels are welcome. Our retreats are designed to support beginners and experienced practitioners alike, with options to modify or deepen your practice as needed.