Goddess Ganga - Varanasi, Rishikesh & Haridwar Yoga & Meditation Retreat

PRICING OPTIONS (inc domestic flight Rishikesh to Varanasi)

TWIN SHARE $6599pp AUD

SINGLE ROOM $7599pp AUD

• Includes 12 nights accommodation, airport transfers, tours and entry fees as per the itinerary, expert local guide, all breakfasts and dinners, daily yoga practices & meditation.

• Does not include return flights to India, alcohol, spending money and lunches.

DEPOSIT $1,000 - required to secure your spot.

• Please pay your deposit via the checkout below.

• Once your deposit has been paid you will receive an invoice with your balance, to be finalised 3 months prior to the departure date. Please read our terms and conditions prior to payment.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Rishikesh opening circle

Arrive at the hotel by 3 pm (airport transfers included) for check-in and our first group gathering. We will begin our journey in circle with one another and receive initiation into the Vedic lineage of meditation with puja and the gift of your own personal lineage mantra for meditation practice. Dinner follows, closing the evening with yin yoga and meditation.

Day 02: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram (The Beatles Ashram)

Morning yoga practice followed by breakfast.

We then visit the historic Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, famously known as the Beatles Ashram. Beyond its history with the Beatles in the 1960s, the ashram is a spiritual sanctuary where seekers once practiced deep meditation and Vedic studies. The 14-acre grounds are dotted with meditation caves, murals, and abandoned stone buildings now reclaimed by nature. Here we will spend time in quiet meditation, exploring both the art and energy of the place. It remains a symbol of East meeting West, and of the timeless call of Rishikesh as a global center for spirituality.

Afternoon return to our hotel. Evening Ganesha puja with a local priest, dinner, and meditation.

Day 03: Haridwar - temples, bazaar, & ghats

Morning practice and breakfast, followed by a short drive to Haridwar. We will visit sacred temples, stroll the colorful bazaar, and experience local river life and the lively ghats by the river. We return to Rishikesh for dinner and evening meditation practice.

Day 04- Village walk and evening Ganga Aarti

Morning yoga and breakfast. Enjoy free time for rest or to explore. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk and meditate on the banks of the Ganga.

In the evening, we will attend the famous Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan Ghat in Rishikesh—a deeply moving ritual of fire, chanting, and devotion by the river. Dinner and yoga at the hotel.

Day 05: Devprayag - sacred confluence

Sunrise yoga and meditation followed by breakfast. Excursion to Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge to to give birth to the Ganga. Pilgrimage walk, ritual dip (snaan) for those who wish, and time to soak in the spiritual energy. Return for free time, dinner, and meditation.

Day 06: Neelkanth Mahadev, Riskikesh bazaar & rest day

Begin with yoga and meditation. After breakfast, optional excursion to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva & time in Rishikesh to explore the markets and temples. Evening yoga, meditation, and dinner together.

Day 07: Flight to Varanasi & evening boat ride

Morning practice and breakfast. Today we fly to Varanasi - transfers and flights are included in your retreat.

After check in at the hotel enjoy a sunset boat ride on the Ganga, soak in the enigmatic energy of spiritual life on the ghats - so much to take in. Evening meditation.

Day 08: Sunsrise yoga & boat ride, morning Ganga Aarti, explore Varanasi's heritage alleyways, Shiva temple visit.

We begin with yoga at sunrise on the sandy banks of the Ganga, welcoming the first light of the sun. After yoga, we take a peaceful boat ride along the ghats, watching the city awaken.

We then join the morning Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat, which includes a sacred Yagya ceremony. Afterward, we can also participate in public yoga practice offered there daily. Breakfast follows.

In the afternoon, we explore the old town lanes, shrines, and markets. Evening visit to a local Shiva temple and meditation.

Day 09: Aghori ashram and the ancient World Heritage city Sarnath

We rise early again to make the most of the morning on the ghats by the Ganges. Watching the ghats awaken in the early hours of the morning, as locals go about their morning rituals is a truly magical experience. After breakfast we visit an Aghori (ascetic Shaivite sadhus) temple for meditation and to learn more about their left sided path of tantra practices. In the afternoon we drive (about 30mins) to the ancient town of Sarnath where Gautama Buddha taught the first sutra after becoming enlightened at Bodh Gaya. Here we take a tour of the ancient world heritage city and its historically significant sites, dating back as far as the 3rd century BCE. Sarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists and a visit here is a profoundly spiritual experience, so we will find a quiet place to meditate together. Enjoy a free evening to explore Varanasi.

Day 10: Temples, Mahayagya & evening Ganga Aarti

This morning we participate in a Mahayagya - group fire ceremony with traditional blessings. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided walk around Varanasi's most sacred temples. In the evening, we attend the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat—a breathtaking ritual of devotion with chanting, fire, and offerings to Mother Ganga, then return to the hotel for meditation.

Day 11: Rural life, silk weavers, & cremation ghats

Morning yoga on the ghats. Cross the river to visit a rural village and meet locals. Afternoon visit to the silk weaver community (over 6,000 families continuing ancient traditions of weaving pashmina and Banarasi silk). Evening boat ride to witness Manikarnika Ghat cremation rituals from the water—a deeply spiritual and humbling experience. Return for dinner and meditation.

Day 12: Free time, blessings & closing circle

Our last full day together starts with practices on the ghats, followed by a private group puja for blessings. We have free time to reflect or shop in the old city. In the afternoon, we gather for our closing circle, meditation, and final group dinner together.

Day 13: Journey onward

After breakfast we say goodbye and begin our journeys home - hearts full and so many cherished memories.

Maa Ganga, is considered the holiest of Hindu rivers where pilgrims journey to attain moksha (liberation). It is a place of fire and water, life and death, devotion and release. Your spiritual Self will blossom on this retreat xxx

MEET YOUR RETREAT LEADER & YOGA TEACHER

Varanasi Holy Man

Inspired yoga

Bring your camera!!

Connect with sacred animals

Yoga practice

Discover new places

Maa Ganga - River Ganges

Dog Rescue in Rishikesh

Practices for everyone

WHAT MAKES NAMASTAYZ DIFFERENT

Our yoga & meditation retreats are different for a few stand out reasons

• Your retreat is planned, curated, tested & led by myself - I put my heart & soul into offering you the most wonderful experiences available

• I also teach you yoga and meditation while on retreat

• I am a highly trained yoga teacher with many years experience

• I am a lineage initiated Vedic meditation teacher

• I am a certified Level 1 IREST yoga NIDRA teacher

• I have run my own yoga shalas for nearly 10 years so I understand how to manage a successful business

• I am a qualified transpersonal counsellor & art therapist, making me your perfect spiritual guide on retreat

• From the moment you book your experience is personalised. It is me that emails you and answers your calls

• As a group we meet up before departure in person or via zoom to ask any questions and get acquainted (optional)

• I can help you book your flights, get your visa, and organise travel insurance - in a former life I worked for Flight Centre!

• I offer the option to book the same flights as me so we can meet at Sydney airport and travel together - this can be especially comforting if you are travelling alone

• Namastayz retreats are like adventures! We generally travel around quite a lot to truly experience a country, its culture and spirituality

• Our retreat destinations take you off the beaten track to places you have always wanted to travel to, yet did not want to go to alone

• The yoga practices I share with you are more than simply asana or postures, we dive into pranayama (breathing practices), learn mantras, discuss Vedic & Buddhist philosophy, & experience authentic rituals and ceremonies

• I have vast travel experience & have travelled to 25 countries and lived in 7 countries so I know how it feels to be somewhere unfamiliar and different

FAST FACTS

Who are Namastayz Yoga & Meditation retreats for?

Anyone! Anyone interested in starting yoga, anyone wanting to deepen their yoga wisdom, anyone wanting to inspire their yoga practice. Anyone who LOVES yoga &/or Meditation.

I have not practiced in years - will I be able to do the yoga?

Lets remember that yoga is a state of BEing rather than something we do. We do a range of practices that guide us toward the yoga state of BEing - which is chat sit ananda - the eternal bliss of pure consciousness. Those practices include asana (hatha, yin, Tibetan Buddhist yantra), meditation, guided meditations, IREST yoga NIDRA, philosophy talks, mantra, mudra, yantra, yajna, rituals, ceremonies, connecting with nature, visiting sacred places, temples, stupas or monasteries.

Do I have to do all the yoga & meditation practices?

No!! Everything on retreat is optional. You can choose to do all or none of the yoga depending on your personal intention.

What's included on retreat?

General inclusions are accommodation - 4 star where possible, some or all meals, airport transfers, travel guides when needed, transport around our destinations, entry fees to sites, daily yoga and meditation practices, & a tailor made Namastayz body/booty bag to keep essentials safe and handy. Some retreats include short flights between retreat destinations & your visa (Bhutan, Tibet). Please check each individual retreat for final inclusions.

Whats NOT included on retreat?

Your international flight from and back to Australia - although I do share my travel details so you can choose to travel with me, some meals on some retreats, spending money, alcohol, snacks, any extra excursions.

Who organises the retreats? and who teaches the yoga?

I DO

What is a TWIN SHARE room?

When you choose the TWIN SHARE option it means you are prepared to share a room with another person on the retreat who has also selected the TWIN SHARE option - you may not know this person. If you are travelling with a friend of course you can share your room just let me know before we leave Australia.

How do I pay & when do I need to pay by?

Your initial deposit, complete payment, or balance payment can be made through the NAMASTAYZ website. You can choose to pay CC, PayPal or Direct Deposit. You will a receipt. If you would like to enter into a payment plan after your initial deposit please contact me. I will issue you a plan to pay over 3 instalments depending on how much time you have before you leave. All payments are due 2-3 months prior to departure as stated on individual retreats. This allows us to make arrangements and book internal flights, and process visas when required. Please note failure to pay by due dates may forfeit your retreat and all monies paid are non-refundable. Funds may be transferrable on a case by case basis.

PRICING OPTIONS

TWIN SHARE $6599pp AUD

SINGLE ROOM $7599pp AUD

• Includes 13 nights accommodation (one on the sleeper train), airport transfers, tours and entry fees as per the itinerary, local guide, all breakfasts and dinners, daily yoga practices & meditation.

• Does not include return flights to India, alcohol, spending money and lunches.

DEPOSIT $1,000 - required to secure your spot.

• Please pay your deposit via the checkout below.

• Once your deposit has been paid you will receive an invoice with your balance, to be finalised 3 months prior to the departure date. Please read our terms and conditions prior to payment.