India Retreat FAQs

You may pay for the retreat in one instalment, or spread the fee out over five monthly instalments.

• For those paying in GBP in the UK, this will be via Direct Debit.
• If you are in the US, you may arrange in USD via credit card.
• We will send you the options to arrange when you apply for the retreat.

To confirm your booking on the retreat, you will need to either pay the retreat fee in full, or set up your payment plan.

The retreat begins on Sunday 13th October with an evening meal in Delhi.

• Flights arriving on Sunday 13^th October
  • You can arrive any time during the day on Sunday. Our team will pick you up from New Delhi airport and take you to the hotel. You will be able to check-in anytime on that day.
  • We’ll be staying in a hotel in Delhi the night of Sunday 13^th October; this is included in your retreat fee. This will be either a shared or private room depending upon which package you’ve selected.

• Flights arriving before Sunday 13^th October
  • You may wish to spend one or more extra nights in Delhi before the retreat begins. You’ll be able to stay in the same hotel that we’ll be in for the Sunday night, or you may wish to stay somewhere else and meet us there on Sunday.
  • Our travel agent in India can help you arrange either option. You will need to pay for this option separately.

• On Monday 14^th October, we’ll be taking an early morning train up to Haridwar.
  • This is a fascinating journey through the countryside — approximately 5.5 hours northwest to Haridwar.
  • In Haridwar we take cars through the forests of the Himalayan foothills to the ashram in Rishikesh (a drive of about 45-60 minutes), where we’ll be for the rest of the retreat.
  • We take care of all these domestic travel arrangements and the costs are included in your retreat fee.

Departing India

The retreat ends on Friday 25th October after breakfast at the ashram in Rishikesh.

• Returning to Delhi by train on Friday 25^th October
  • We’ll organise your train for you from Rishikesh to New Delhi. Your return/round trip train tickets to and from Delhi are included in your retreat fee.
  • Train timings for Friday 25th October: Departure from Haridwar at 18:15 // Arrival New Delhi 22:55.

• Returning to Delhi by plane on Friday 25th October
  • It is also possible to take a domestic flight back to Delhi from Dehradun airport (close to Rishikesh).
  • We can help you organise this option through our travel agent in India. You’ll need to pay for this option separately.

• Flights home on Saturday 26th October
  • If you’re travelling by train on Friday 25^th October back to Delhi, it’s possible to go straight from the train station to the airport and catch an early morning flight on Saturday 26^th. The earliest your flight could be is 4.00 am on Saturday 26^th October. This allows plenty of time in case of delays and for travel between the train station and the airport terminal.
  • If your flight home is arranged for some time during the day on Saturday 26th October, then you’ll need a hotel in Delhi for the night.
  • Most students choose to stay on Friday night at an airport hotel in Delhi. You can relax and regroup, ready for your flight the next day. Our travel agent in India can arrange this for you (we have several hotels we recommend). You’ll need to pay for this separately.

• Additional sight-seeing tour after the retreat
  • Our travel agent can arrange an add-on package for you to visit Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and Delhi after the retreat. If you’re interested in this option, please email us.

We’ll be staying in a hotel in Delhi the night of Sunday 13^th October; this is included in your retreat fee. This will be either a shared or private room depending upon which package you’ve selected.

Yes, you need a tourist visa to visit India.

• You need to apply for an “eTourist-visa”, using this link: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
• It is reasonably straightforward to complete. It should take about 3-4 days to process.
• IMPORTANT: Check your passport has at least 180 days left before it expires (this is required when getting your tourist visa).
• If you need any assistance with your application, we recommend contacting Ross Alexander at Scotts Visas:
  • https://www.scottsvisas.co.uk
  • ross@scottstm.co.uk

India Reference:

Mr Pankaj Mishra
Director, Heartman Travel Services Pvt. Ltd.
Office No. 306, DDA Local Shopping Complex, C Block, Vikaspuri
New Delhi  110018, India
Ph: + 91 9811993875
Email: heartmantravels@gmail.com

Address of where we stay: 

Parmarth Niketan Ashram
P.O. Swargashram Rishikesh (Himalayas)
Uttarakhand 249304, India
Ph: +91 (0135) 2440088
Email: parmarth@parmarth.com

Select tourism (not yoga programme).

• You may wish to check with your doctor regarding recommended inoculations and anti-malaria medications.
• It is not our personal experience that this is necessary. However, you should consult your doctor if you have any questions.
• There may be some mosquitoes when we’re there. We recommend bringing a mosquito repellent.

• On Monday 14^th October, we’ll be taking an early morning train up to Haridwar.
• This is a fascinating journey through the countryside — approximately 5.5 hours northwest to Haridwar.
• In Haridwar we take cars through the forests of the Himalayan foothills to the ashram in Rishikesh (a drive of about 45-60 minutes), where we’ll be for the rest of the retreat.
• We take care of all these domestic travel arrangements and the costs are included in your retreat fee.

For your budgeting, we recommend planning for the following:

• Clothing. We’ll be shopping in Rishikesh for comfortable and culturally appropriate Indian-style clothing. We will guide you on what to get on our first day there.
  • Approximate costs are in the range of £75-£100 ($100-$130) for some basic clothes.
  • You can of course enjoy getting more than this, and/ or you’ll be able to reduce depending on your budget.

• Food. Some meals are included in the cost of your retreat, e.g. some dinners at the Ashram and special group meals. You’ll also be enjoying food (and chai!) at local cafes and restaurants.
  • These meals at the local restaurants will be paid separately by you.
  • Food is very good and inexpensive in Rishikesh.
  • Allow around £15-£20 ($20-$30) per day for meals and chai.

• Gifts & other shopping. Rishikesh is a wonderful place to shop. There are many things (for yourself or others!) such as jewellery, clothing and scarves.
  • Prices range, and you can enjoy shopping on a budget, or not!

• Special Ceremonies. During the retreat we will have a special ceremony, known as a Yagya, performed by a Vedic pandit.
  • The suggested donation for this will be $54 per person.

• Spiritual Learning. There will be opportunities to connect 1:1 with Pandit Baskaran for Jyotish readings (personal Vedic astrology consultations) and private Yagya ceremonies.
  • The fees for these begin at $108.

• Cash & spending. You’ll pay for most things in cash. There are some Western-style shops able to take credit cards.
  • There are several ATM’s you can withdraw cash from in Rishikesh.
  • We will also have a travel agent with us who can exchange money at a good rate for you when you arrive.
  • We recommend you withdraw 3,000INR from an ATM in New Delhi Airport so you have some spending money when you first arrive. Alternatively  change a small amount of money in the airport (£30/$40) — the exchange rates will be much higher in the airport than with our travel agent .

You won’t need to bring much with you, as we’ll be shopping in Rishikesh for comfortable and culturally appropriate Indian-style clothing.

• What we’ll be wearing. We will guide you on what to buy on our first day in Rishikesh. Here’s an outline:
  • We’re staying in an ashram and we’re sensitive to the local customs of not showing too much skin in public. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed on Ashram property for men or women.
  • For women, this generally means long sleeves, loose trousers, and a type of dress known as a kurta. They come in all colours, shapes and sizes and are very comfortable. They are also inexpensive.
  • For men, most will opt for the traditional dhoti and kurta (they look like pajamas and are very comfortable).
• It is going to be warm at the beginning of the trip, getting cooler by the end.
  • The temperature will be pleasant, and it can get quite hot in the afternoons (32 Celsius/ 89 Fahrenheit).
  • As the trip continues, the temperature may begin to drop, and evenings can be cool (19 Celsius/ 66 Fahrenheit).
  • It may rain during our stay. (This is not our general experience, and it can happen!)

• Rounding clothing to pack. For the Rounding, we recommend bringing comfortable workout clothing:
  • You won’t need much.
  • E.g. leggings, jogging bottoms, t-shirt.
  • Note — you cannot wear shorts in public in the ashram/ Rishikesh. These clothes will be for in your room only.
  • You won’t be exercising other than doing your Rounding programme, so no need for your running shoes!

• Additional clothes & accessories to pack:
  • Warm under-layers, e.g. long-sleeved top, vests.
  • A light jacket for cooler evenings.
  • A rain jacket.
  • Shawl for cooler evenings (you can get some lovely pashminas/ meditation blankets in Rishikesh.)
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimsuit

• Footwear to pack:
  • Open sandals/ slide-on shoes for day-to-day walking around the ashram and Rishikesh.
  • Flip flops are good for showering and wearing in your room.
  • Covered shoes (e.g. sneakers) for cooler evenings/ longer walks.

• Other accessories you can get in Rishikesh:
  • Pashminas/ scarves.
  • Bag for carrying money, notebooks, camera, sun-block, etc. There are plenty of low cost options — long handled bags that you can sling over your shoulder.

For men it is pretty straightforward – you simply need shorts. For women, you want to be covered up as much as possible. We recommend you wear your swimsuit underneath and then buy some low cost cotton tops and long pants in Rishikesh that can be worn over the top.

You do not need to bring bedding or towels for the Ashram, however you will need at least one towel for swimming which you can buy in Rishikesh. If you forget to bring any of your toiletries there is a wide selection available in the shops near the ashram.

Accommodation at the ashram is very basic but comfortable. There are western style beds and each room has it’s own bathroom with toilet and shower.

No need, you can buy very reasonably priced mats in Rishikesh.

Our travel agent, Pankaj Mishra, will be offering an add-on tour at the end of the retreat to visit Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and explore Delhi. If you’re interested in this or other travel options, please contact Pankaj here:

Mr Pankaj Mishra
Director, Heartman Travel Services Pvt. Ltd

Mobile: + 91 9811993875
Email: heartmantravels@gmail.com