If you’re looking for a way to unwind from your busy life then here are the best spiritual retreats in India. This beautiful ancient country has been the heart of spiritual exploration for centuries. It’s where the wisdom of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda first took shape and where travelers from around the world continue to come in search of balance, and self-understanding. We spent four months in India, and Barefoot Backpackers’ editor Ellen Kinsey is an qualified Ayurvedic health coach, so we truly understand the benefits from the wisdom of India.
A spiritual retreat in India isn’t just a getaway. It’s an opportunity to step away from routine, reconnect with your body and mind, and learn ancient practices that can help you navigate modern life with more ease and awareness. Whether your focus is yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and rejuvination, or simply timeout to slow down, there’s a retreat to suit every desire and lifestyle.
From the beaches of Goa, Ayurveda’s birthplace Kerala to the Himalayan foothills of Rishikesh and Dharamshala, India’s diversity makes it an ideal setting for transformation. A retreat is an investment in yourself so you can come back home feeling renewed, empowered and maybe even a little enlightened. Each region of the retreats brings something unique — coastal relaxation, powerful mountain energy, or rich spiritual heritage. We love India, so be sure to checkout our our Barefoot Backpackers’ India Travel Guide.
Here are some of the best retreats in India for 2025 — chosen for their authenticity, quality of teaching, and connection to place.
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The Best Spiritual Retreats in India at a Glance
- Best One Week Retreat: 6 Day Healing Yoga and Meditation Retreat, Varkala, Kerala, India – Retreat overlooking Kerala’s cliffs and sea, with yoga, meditation, and fire rituals
- Best Month Transformational Yoga Retreat: 30 Day Re-Discover Yourself: Yoga & Meditation, Dharamshala, India – Yoga philosophy, and mindfulness at the foothills of the Himalayas
- Best Two Week Retreat for Ayurvedic Healing: 14 Day Ayurvedic Gut Regeneration Retreat in Kerala, India – A two-week program focusing on gut health through Panchakarma therapy, herbal medicine, and mindful nutrition.
- Best for Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat: 8 Day Blissful Ayurvedic Detox and Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh – Merges Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation.
- Best Flexible Schedule Retreat: 8 Day (Flexible) Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Goa, India – Flexible retreat ideal for travelers wanting to balance practice with beach time.
- Best One Month Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat: 28 Day Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat in Kerala, India – A month-long immersion in Ayurveda, Panchakarma, and yoga.
The Best Spiritual Retreats in India (2025)
1. Best One Week Retreat: 6 Day Healing Yoga and Meditation Retreat, Varkala, Kerala, India
Price: $
Location: Varkala, Kerala, India
Focus: Yoga & Mind-Body Connection
View: 6 Day Healing Yoga and Meditation Retreat, Varkala, Kerala, India
Set along Kerala’s peaceful coastline, this six-day retreat in Varkala combines traditional yoga wisdom with modern mindfulness. Each day includes guided Yoga Asana, meditation, fire rituals, and philosophy sessions that explore the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
Outside of class, there’s time to explore local temples, take short hikes, or enjoy Kerala’s scenic backwaters. Vegetarian meals are provided throughout the retreat, keeping you well-nourished and balanced.
The experience is open to beginners and anyone looking to slow down, learn, and leave feeling grounded.
2. Best Month Transformational Yoga Retreat: 30 Day Re-Discover Yourself: Yoga & Meditation, Dharamshala, India
Price: $$$
Location: Dharamshala, India
Focus: Deep Personal Transformation
View: 30 Day Re-Discover Yourself: Yoga & Meditation, Dharamshala, India
Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dharamshala is known as a global center for spiritual learning and home to the Dalai Lama. This 30-day retreat offers a complete reset through yoga, meditation, and energy work.
The program brings together elements from different traditions — including Buddhism, Tantra, and Osho — with a focus on awareness, self-understanding, and inner growth. Days are full, with morning to evening sessions, structured activities, and balanced meals that support physical and emotional wellbeing.
This is a great option if you’re ready to go beyond the surface and spend time doing meaningful inner work in a peaceful, supportive setting.
3. Best Short Retreat for Beginners: 3 Day Traditional Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh, India
Price: $
Location: Rishikesh, India
Focus: Foundational Yoga & Meditation
View: 3 Day Traditional Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh, India
If you’re short on time but still want a genuine introduction to India’s spiritual practices, this three-day retreat in Rishikesh is a solid choice.
The schedule includes daily yoga and meditation, along with lessons in pranayama (breathing) and basic yogic philosophy. You’ll also get a taste of Rishikesh’s natural surroundings — from quiet walks by the Ganges to views of the Himalayan foothills.
Accommodation is simple but comfortable, and meals are vegetarian. It’s a well-balanced, accessible retreat that gives you a feel for traditional yoga life in one of the world’s most spiritual towns.
4. Best Retreat for Nature Lovers: 4 Day Refreshing Waterfall, Hiking & Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
Price: $
Location: Rishikesh, India
Focus: Yoga, Meditation, and Nature Connection
View: 4 Day Refreshing Waterfall, Hiking & Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
For anyone craving both inner stillness and a touch of adventure, this 4-day retreat at Adi Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh offers the perfect balance. Each day combines yoga asana, pranayama, yoga nidra, and meditation with the rejuvenating experience of waterfall hikes and immersion in nature.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, classes are tailored to your level and needs. You’ll learn yogic cleansing practices and techniques that ground you deeply in the present moment while also connecting with travelers from around the world.
Meals are freshly prepared vegetarian dishes made from local organic ingredients, designed to support your practice and leave you light yet energized. Between sessions, you can wander through local temples, shrines, and markets, or simply sit by the river Ganga and let the rhythm of the water settle your mind.
5. Best Spiritual Retreat for Couples: 5 Day Osho Meditation & Mindfulness Couple’s Training, Goa, India
Price: $$
Location: Goa, India
Focus: Osho Meditations & Mindfulness
View: 5 Day Osho Meditation & Mindfulness Private Retreat, Goa, India
This 5-day Osho Meditation & Mindfulness Retreat offers a chance to slow down, reset, and rediscover the joy of simply being. With guided sessions in Osho Active Meditations, mindfulness practices, and both body and passive meditation techniques, the retreat invites participants to shift attention inward and live more consciously in the present.
Each day includes 90–120 minute guided sessions plus self-practice time, giving space to integrate what you learn into daily life. Expect practical insights into meditation, awareness, and relaxation, alongside gentle yoga, evening kirtan, and laughter therapy sessions.
Accommodation is peaceful, meals are nourishing vegetarian buffets, and support from facilitators continues even after the retreat. By the end of your stay, you’ll take home tools to handle stress, reconnect with your body, and carry mindfulness into the rhythm of everyday living.
6. Best Wellness Retreat by the Beach: 7 Day Relaxing Wellness and Yoga Retreat in Goa, India
Price: $$
Location: Goa, India
Focus: Wellness, Detox, and Traditional Yoga
View: 7 Day Relaxing Wellness and Yoga Retreat in Goa, India
If you’re looking to unwind and recharge by the sea, this 7-day Wellness and Yoga Retreat in Goa is a sanctuary for body and mind. Rooted in authentic Hatha yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy, the program blends daily yoga sessions with de-stress and detox therapies that leave you lighter, calmer, and rebalanced.
Guests can choose from two main paths: Santosha (contentment) for rejuvenation and Shudha (purity) for detoxification. Both programs integrate Ayurveda treatments, yoga, pranayama, and nourishing satvik meals.
Over the week, you’ll enjoy therapies such as Abhyanga massages, herbal steam, reflexology, and organic body scrubs, all designed to cleanse and renew. The holistic approach here focuses not only on your physical health but also on emotional well-being — helping you rediscover contentment from the inside out.
7. Best Two Week Retreat for Ayurvedic Healing: 14 Day Ayurvedic Gut Regeneration Retreat in Kerala, India
Price: $$$
Location: Kerala, India
Focus: Ayurveda, Gut Health, and Healing
View: 14 Day Ayurvedic Gut Regeneration Retreat in Kerala, India
In Kerala’s lush green heart, this 14-day Ayurvedic Gut Regeneration Retreat invites you to reset your inner ecosystem. Blending ancient Panchakarma practices with modern gut health science, the program works to restore digestive balance, detoxify the body, and renew your energy from within.
Each day unfolds with personalized treatments such as Abhyanga (oil massage), Swedana (herbal steam), and vasti (cleansing therapy), guided by Ayurvedic doctors who tailor everything to your dosha and current state of health. Meals are sattvic, seasonal, and crafted as medicine — think probiotic buttermilk, fermented kanji, and digestive herbs that heal from the inside out.
Yoga, pranayama, and meditation strengthen the gut-brain connection, while the surrounding natural setting brings deep calm and restoration. You’ll leave with improved digestion, balanced energy, and a deeper understanding of your body’s innate intelligence.
8. Best for Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat: 8 Day Blissful Ayurvedic Detox and Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
Price: $
Location: Rishikesh, India
Focus: Ayurveda & Gentle Detox
View: 8 Day Blissful Ayurvedic Detox & Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
For those looking to combine yoga with Ayurveda, this eight-day retreat in Rishikesh focuses on restoring natural balance and energy. The program includes daily yoga classes, guided meditation, Ayurvedic massages, and personalized wellness sessions to suit your body type.
Meals are light and nourishing, with vegetarian and vegan options designed to complement the detox process. The setting — at the base of the Himalayas near the Ganges — adds to the sense of calm and renewal.
It’s suitable for all experience levels and ideal if you want a holistic but relaxed approach to wellbeing.
9. Best Flexible Schedule Retreat: 8 Day (Flexible) Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Goa, India
Price: $$
Location: Goa, India
Focus: Relaxation & Stress Management
View: 8 Day (Flexible) Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Goa, India
Set close to Goa’s beaches, this eight-day retreat offers a relaxed mix of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. The program focuses on understanding and reducing stress through movement, breath, and Ayurvedic principles.
You’ll take part in daily Hatha yoga sessions, meditation, and optional massages or wellness treatments. The flexible structure means you can adapt the pace of your stay — choosing rest, activity, or a bit of both.
It’s a great option if you want to unwind in a coastal environment while learning practical techniques to carry home.
10. Best One Month Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat: 28 Day Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat in Kerala, India
Price: $$$
Location: Vembayam, Kerala, India
Focus: Panchakarma, Ayurveda, and Deep Rejuvenation
View: 28 Day Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat in Kerala, India
Set against the serene backdrop of the Sahyadri Mountains, the 28-Day Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Retreat at Antharyamin Resorts offers a complete mind–body reset. Combining Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation, this immersive month-long program is designed to purify, rebuild, and restore vitality from the inside out.
The experience unfolds in four phases — detoxification, Panchakarma cleansing, rejuvenation, and lifestyle transformation. Each week builds upon the last, blending traditional Ayurvedic therapies like Abhyanga, Swedana, and Shirodhara with yoga, meditation, and nutrition tailored to your constitution.
Between treatments, you’ll enjoy peaceful nature walks, healing meals, and time to journal and integrate your experience. Accommodation is boutique and eco-conscious, surrounded by organic gardens and mountain views. By the end, guests often describe feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply renewed.
How to Pick the Right Retreat in India for You
The best retreat for you depends on what you’re seeking. If you want a gentle introduction to yoga, start with a short stay in Rishikesh. For deeper transformation, Dharamshala’s month-long program offers the time and structure to explore your spiritual practice in full. Kerala and Goa, on the other hand, are ideal for combining self-care with coastal relaxation.
What to Expect on a Spiritual Retreat in India
Most retreats include yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic-inspired meals, but each varies in intensity and focus. Some programs are structured and immersive, while others are more flexible, leaving time to explore the surroundings. Expect simple accommodation, nourishing food, and a focus on personal growth rather than luxury.
Planning Your Trip
If you’re travelling to India for the first time, consider arriving a few days early to settle in and adjust to the pace. Many retreats offer airport transfers, or you can use local trains and taxis for easy access. Remember to bring comfortable clothing, a refillable water bottle, and an open mind.
FAQs: Best Spiritual Retreats in India
Do I need yoga experience to join a retreat in India?
No. Most retreats welcome beginners and adapt their sessions to different levels. If you’re unsure, check the retreat’s description for guidance.
Are meals included in the retreat cost?
Yes, nearly all retreats provide vegetarian or vegan meals as part of the package. Some also include Ayurvedic meals designed to support your practice and energy levels.
When is the best time of year to go on a retreat in India?
The cooler, drier months from October to March are generally best, especially for northern regions like Rishikesh or Dharamshala. Coastal areas like Goa and Kerala are hot and are best between November and March.
What should I pack for a spiritual retreat?
Light, breathable clothing, yoga wear, a journal, and any personal essentials. Some retreats supply mats and props, but bringing your own is always useful. For more info check out our the ultimate India packing list for women.
How do I choose the right retreat for me?
Consider what you want to focus on — yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, or rest. Read reviews, compare programs, and choose a place that aligns with your goals and comfort level.
Enjoyed our best spiritual retreats in India guide? Read more
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