Yoga and Ayurveda in India
Delhi, Rishikesh, Varkala

‍‍Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat
26th Feb - 15th March 2026
Delhi - Rishikesh - Varkala

We’re going back to India! And this time, it’s a three-part journey: we begin in Delhi, continue to Rishikesh, and finally settle in Varkala, which will become our home for 11 days. Each part of the journey offers something special from the vibrant energy of the city, to the spiritual heart of the north, and the soft rhythms of the south.

This retreat is co-organized with my dear friend Basia, who currently lives in Varkala and is part of the Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort team, where she supports group programs and treatments. Basia has been involved in welcoming and coordinating international groups for years, and she’ll be with us from Delhi onwards, helping to coordinate the travel plan and take care of logistics. I’m so happy we’re doing this together!

Part I – Delhi / 27th Feb - 1st March / arrival & cultural exploration
* arrival to Delhi, hotel room available from 26th Feb, airport shuttle arranged if you choose one of the suggested flights
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We’ll start by meeting in Delhi, the capital of India and one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It’s here that we arrive, settle, and begin exploring together. The group hotel stay begins on February 26. During our time in Delhi, we’ll visit some of its most iconic places: Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple and Humayun’s Tomb. We will also go on a tour through Old Delhi witha cycle rikshaw, especially around spice market (one of the most authentic experiences in Delhi - colorful, noisy, full of aromas and bursting with life).

We will also have an opportunity to experience a yoga class with a local teacher in Delhi. All entries and group transport are included, and we’ll move together with a local guide. We will stay in the hotel. Breakfast is included, and for the rest of the meals, you’re free to explore.

Part II – Rishikesh / 1st -4th March / by the Ganges & at the foot of the Himalayas
* flight from Delhi to Dehradun, from there bus to Rishikesh organised for all taking the suggested flight, accommodation arranged for the entire group
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From Delhi, we travel to Rishikesh - a magical town on the Ganges River, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Long considered one of the spiritual centers of India, Rishikesh has a very unique rhythm. Together, we’ll: witness the sacred Ganga Aarti (evening fire ceremony by the river), walk across the iconic Lakshman Jhula bridge, visit Parmarth Niketan Ashram and wander through temples, local markets, and quiet ghats. We will also visit the Beatles Ashram and go river rafting!

Same as in Delhi, we will have accommodation arranged, with breakfast included and you can then explore local cafes and restaurants for other meals. In Rishikesh, we will also have a yoga class led by a local teacher.

Part III – Varkala / 5th - 15th March / Ayurveda, Yoga & Ocean Rhythms
* arrival to TRV Trivandrum Airport, stay at Green Garden Ayurvedic Resort, airport shuttle arranged if you choose the selected flight
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For the third part of our trip, we head south to Varkala, where we’ll stay for 11 days at Ayurvedic Resort, a peaceful home-away-from-home tucked near the ocean, run by wonderful people who care deeply about the work they do. This part of the journey is about landing, softening, taking care of your health, and learning more about yourself through the lens of Ayurveda.

We’ll begin with a group lecture with the Ayurveda doctor, who will walk us through the foundational ideas of Ayurveda. After that, each of you will receive an individual consultation with the Ayurveda doctor. Based on this, he will plan your daily treatments/massages (10 in total, included in your stay) and prescribe medication for the time at the resort (also included in the price). If you wish to continue with medication after the retreat, it’s possible to purchase an additional supply at the end of your stay (optional, and at extra cost). The doctor and team check in on us throughout the retreat, so you’re supported every step of the way.

In Varkala, we will stay in the Ayurvedic resort where I have been already few times (rooms with private bathroom and ceiling fan - no A/C).

Each day, you’ll be nourished with three delicious Ayurvedic meals, cooked fresh on-site, with so much care and flavor. You’ll discover many tastes and food combinations you may have never tried before, and everything is based on Ayurvedic principles.

Our daily rhythm in Varkala looks something like this: morning rooftop yoga class with the sound of the ocean in the background, a bit of time to walk to the beach before the sun gets stronger, breakfast, your personal treatment time (scheduled individually throughout the day), lunch and free time, dinner, evening breathwork and meditation practice. Daily yoga, meditation and breathwork practice will be led by me. We will also have one class with Shiva, a wonderful teacher, at his yoga school next door.

Treatments typically take about 1-2,5 hours, depending on the duration of the treatment itself and rest time. The rest of your day is yours: for napping, being still, or wandering the beach. We’ll also visit the sacred Janardanaswamy Temple and take part in a puja ceremony. To celebrate our time together, we’ll share a festive Keralan dinner on the final evening.

The last day of the retreat is March 15 (Sunday), it includes a breakfast. We will have our last full day together on Saturday, March 14 - with yoga in the morning, meals, your last treatment, and a closing ceremony in the evening.

Travel
International and domestic flights need to be booked by you. Here are few suggestions to help you plan your bookings:
Thursday, 26th Feb 2026 // Arrival to India / we are planning to start the retreat program on 27th February, but your hotel room is booked from 26th as many flights arrive overnight.
Suggested flights (from ZH departure on 26th Feb):
- direct: 12:00-00:15, SWISS 146 (ZRH to DEL)
- 1 stop: 10:40-04:40, IndiGo 4142 and IndiGo 12 (ZRH via IST to DEL)
Sunday, 1st March 2026 // Delhi to Rishikesh / flights to Dehradun Airport
Suggested flight: 14:30.15:25, IndiGo 2135 (DEL to DED)
Wednesday, 4th March 2026 // Rishikesh (Dehradun Airport) to Varkala (Trivandrum Arirport)
Suggested flight: 18:30-00:50, IndiGo 2072 (DED to TRV)
Sunday, 15th March 2026 // Departure from India / we have accommodation in Varkala booked until 15th March, but please note that retreat program ends in the evening of Saturday, March 14th (depending where do you travel to, many flights are overnight so we want to make sure you have your room available until your flight, or if your flight is on Sunday, you still have breakfast included in the price, and please note that check out from the resort is at 11 am).

‍I’m very happy to consult on routes and schedules, please just reach out before booking :)

Airport Transfers
‍We’ve suggested flights for both international and domestic travel to help us move smoothly as a group. If you’re arriving in Delhi on the proposed flight, we’ll arrange your transfer to the hotel. If you’re arriving on a different flight, you’ll need to organize your own transfer from the airport to our meeting point but of course, we’ll support you with tips if needed.
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For the flight from Rishikesh (Dehradun) to Varkala (Trivandrum), we strongly recommend booking the suggested option, as it fits best with our schedule and ensures smooth group travel. If for any reason you take a different flight, your transfer from Trivandrum to the resort in Varkala will not be included in the retreat cost.
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For your departure from Varkala, we’ll organize individual drop-offs to Trivandrum Airport based on your flight times, just send us your details in advance.

I will also prepare a suggested packing list based on my experience in India, what’s helpful, what to bring, and what you might not have considered. Especially if it’s your first time, I hope it’ll be a helpful reference.

Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival. Visa, insurance, and vaccinations are your responsibility.

I’m here if you need guidance if you need advise on that.

Pricing & Rooms
It’s important to me that this journey feels accessible. To secure your spot, a deposit of CHF 500 is required. After that, I recommend booking your flights as early as possible, as prices and availability can change quickly. The remaining retreat fee can be paid in flexible instalments, we can arrange a plan that works for you. The only thing that matters is that everything is settled before we meet in India.

Single room: 2799 CHF(incl. deposit) + 500 USD (to be paid in cash upon arrival to India)
Double room (per person): 2290 CHF (incl. deposit)+ 500 USD (to be paid in cash upon arrival to India)‍

✔️ Included:
- all accommodation from February 26 to March 15 (Delhi, Rishikesh, and Varkala)
- airport transfers in India
- all breakfasts in Delhi and Rishikesh
- entries to sight-seeing venues, river rafting
- full Ayurvedic board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in Varkala
- Ayurvedic lecture + individual consultation with a doctor
- 10 Ayurvedic treatments
- Ayurvedic medication during your stay
- daily yoga and evening meditation in Varkala with Guka
- yoga classes with guest teachers in Delhi, Rishikesh and Varkala
- cultural visits and ceremonies (temple visit, puja, festive dinner)
- logistics throughout our time together (coordination of airport transfers, hotels, sight-seeing, tour guide, etc.)

Cancellation
Please note that the deposit is non-refundable, as it covers various upfront costs we need to secure in advance. However, cancellations are possible up to one month before the retreat begins, and in that case, any amount paid beyond the deposit will be refunded.
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Lastly, while the retreat program is thoughtfully designed, I kindly reserve the right to make small adjustments if needed – always in service of the group’s experience and well-being.

Interested in joining?
‍If this journey speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you.
📩 Write to me at yogawithguka@gmail.com

With love,
Guka