The Best Places for a Yoga Retreat in India

India is the birthplace of yoga, and it's still the place where you can study it closest to its roots, from Himalayan ashrams to beach shalas and Ayurvedic clinics. The country is huge, though, and the climate changes completely from north to south, so the right destination depends on the month and the kind of retreat you want. Nestinga is based in Uttarakhand, and these are the places we recommend most.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: the classic

The world's best-known yoga town, on the Ganga in the Himalayan foothills. Ideal for traditional Hatha, Ashtanga, philosophy and, above all, teacher training. Best from October to November and February to April. Read our guide to yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.

Goa: yoga by the sea

India's smallest state turns into a yoga hub every winter, especially around Arambol, Mandrem and Agonda. Relaxed beach retreats, Vinyasa and Yin, and many winter teacher trainings. Best from November to March. See yoga retreats in Goa.

Kerala: Ayurveda and backwaters

The green southern state is the home of Ayurveda, with treatment centres, beaches at Varkala and Kovalam, and the backwaters around Alleppey. Best from October to March for the weather, while the monsoon is traditionally considered ideal for Ayurvedic treatment. Read Ayurveda retreats in Kerala.

Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh

Home of the Tibetan community in exile, with Buddhist teaching, meditation courses and yoga in the mountains. Cool and green from March to June and September to November; very wet in the monsoon.

Mysore, Karnataka

A world centre of Ashtanga yoga, where dedicated students come for months of early-morning Mysore-style practice. Pleasant most of the year; the cooler months from October to February are the most popular.

Other places worth knowing

• Pune, associated with the Iyengar tradition.
• Auroville and Pondicherry, on the Tamil Nadu coast, for integral yoga and community living.
• Varanasi, for spiritual study on the ghats of the Ganga.

Which kind of retreat?

• New to yoga? Choose a short Hatha or gentle retreat with small groups.
• Want depth? A 200-hour teacher training is the most immersive way to study.
• Need rest? Combine yoga with Ayurveda or a detox programme.
• Seeking stillness? Try a meditation or silent retreat.

Practical tips for India

• Many nationalities can apply for an e-Visa online before travel.
• Dress modestly, especially at temples and ashrams; cover shoulders and knees.
• Drink bottled or filtered water and ease into spicy food.
• Plan around the monsoon, which arrives in the south in June and reaches the north in July.

Rishikesh, Goa or Kerala? How to choose

• Choose Rishikesh if you want traditional teaching, philosophy and the atmosphere of a spiritual town, or a teacher training. Bring warm layers outside the summer months.
• Choose Goa if you want sunshine, the sea and a relaxed winter retreat between November and March.
• Choose Kerala if rest and healing come first: Ayurveda, massage, slow days by the backwaters or the beach.
• Choose the mountains of Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand if you want cooler air, walks and meditation.

Ashram etiquette

Many retreats in India take place in ashrams or follow their rhythm. Expect early mornings, simple vegetarian meals eaten in silence or in a shared dining hall, and a few house rules: no alcohol or meat, modest clothing, shoes off before entering halls and temples, and quiet after the evening programme. Some ashrams ask guests to join seva, a little voluntary work such as helping in the kitchen or garden. It's part of the practice, and one of the best ways to feel at home.

What a retreat in India costs

India is one of the best-value retreat destinations in the world. As a rough guide, a week-long yoga retreat costs around USD 400 to 1,500 including a room and meals, a 200-hour teacher training around USD 1,000 to 2,500, and authentic Ayurveda programmes around USD 100 to 300 a day. Read our full guide to retreat costs.

Getting around India

Domestic flights connect the major cities cheaply, and India's railways reach almost everywhere: book long-distance trains well ahead, especially around festivals. For the last stretch to a retreat, most hosts arrange a taxi or can recommend a trusted driver. Allow extra time for every journey: distances look short on the map but roads can be slow.

Find your retreat in India

Browse everything on Nestinga in India, yoga retreats and all teacher trainings. Hosts in India can list their retreats for free.