“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear” – Rumi.
Join YogMatra for a 7-day nature and yoga retreat in the Himalayas, Urgam Valley. Nestled in the rich Himalayan flora and fauna, you will dive into nature whilst working on yourself. Physically but also mentally, in order to reconnect with a calmer and better version of yourself.
Retreat Highlights
- Daily yoga and meditation practice
- Local village community tour to experience the rural life
- Trek to Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple
- Jungle hike to Banga Pani stream
- Hike to Urva Rishi Ashram
- Bonfire and spiritual music
- Silence day with creative activities
- Daily Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- Organic meals made from locally grown vegetables daily
- 6 nights’ accommodation in the Himalayan mud house
Accommodation
YogMatra Eco HomeStay is a traditional Himalayan Mudhouse, nestled in the lush green fields of Urgam Valley, the “Valley of Meditation”. In the early ’90, the house was built in the traditional way using stone and wood and was inhabited by a local family, who abandoned the house a few years ago. Within a timeframe of 4 months, the YogMatra Team renovated the house according to traditional Himalayan methods: using mud, grass & cow dung.
The wooden balcony, which stretches along the four upper rooms, offers a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan peaks. The lower rooms have been converted into communal areas: a living/dining room and an open kitchen. The terrace offers space for yoga/meditation practice whilst overseeing the entire valley. There are two washrooms: one Western-style toilet and an Indian-style toilet. Hot water for showers is available.
Program
In the rush of modern life, it’s easy to lose touch with your inner voice. The constant exposure to others opinions and advertisements drowns out your intuition, especially in the city. Therefore, taking time out for yourself is not a luxury but crucial to a calm and peaceful life. And what better place there is than to do so in the mesmerizing Himalayas! 🙂
We will kick-start the days with a gentle asanas and meditation in nature. After an energizing breakfast, we embark on a hike to discover the surrounding nature, villages and temples. In the evening, we practice meditation and Yin yoga, to prepare your bodies for a restful night. The day ends with a light dinner, bonfire, and music.
Day 1: Arrival and introduction
- 16:00 Check-in at YogMatra Eco Homestay
- 17:00 Welcome tea
- 18:30 Bonfire, group introduction, and briefing
- 19:30 Sattvic dinner
- 21:30 Lights off and silence in the community
Day 2: Discover the valley – Local village community tour
- 07:00 Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- 07:30 Yoga in nature
- 09:30 Traditional Indian breakfast with fruits
- 10:00 Local sightseeing
- 14:00 Local Himalayan lunch
- 16:30 Tea with snacks
- 17:00 Meditation in nature
- 18:30 Bonfire and music
- 19:30 Sattvic dinner
- 21:30 Lights off and silence in the community
Day 3: Into the jungle – Nature hike to Banga Pani
- 07:00 Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- 07:30 Yoga in nature
- 09:30 Traditional Indian breakfast with fruits
- 10:00 Trek to Banga Pani stream
- 14:00 Local Himalayan lunch
- 16:30 Tea with snacks
- 17:00 Meditation in nature
- 18:30 Bonfire and music
- 19:30 Sattvic dinner
- 21:30 Lights off and silence in the community
Day 4: Seeking connection – Blessings of Kalpeshwar Mahadev
- 07:00 Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- 07:30 Yoga in nature
- 09:30 Traditional Indian breakfast with fruits
- 10:00 Rest and self-care
- 13:30 Local Himalayan lunch
- 14:30 Trek to Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple
- 16:30 Meditation and chanting at Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple
- 19:30 Sattvic dinner
- 21:30 Lights off and silence in the community
Day 5: Retreat into silence – The Artist within You
- 07:00 Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- 07:30 Yoga in nature
- 09:30 Traditional Indian breakfast with fruits
- 10:00 Retreat into silence & creative activities
- 14:00 Local Himalayan lunch
- 16:30 Tea with snacks
- 17:00 Meditation in nature
- 18:30 Breaking the silence alongside a bonfire
- 19:30 Sattvic dinner
- 21:30 Lights off and silence in the community
Day 6: Embracing the valley – Hike to Urva Rishi Temple
- 07:00 Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- 07:30 Yoga in nature
- 09:30 Traditional Indian breakfast with fruits
- 10:00 Trek to Urva Rishi Temple
- 14:00 Local Himalayan lunch
- 16:30 Tea with snacks
- 17:00 Meditation in nature
- 18:30 Bonfire and music
- 19:30 Sattvic dinner
- 21:30 Lights off and silence in the community
Day 7: Reflection and departure
- 06:30 Ayurvedic tea made from local herbs
- 07:00 Yoga in nature
- 08:00 Traditional Indian breakfast with fruits
- 09:00 Check-out
Note: The schedule can be changed by the teacher/coordinator depending on the weather conditions.
Food
Fresh and organic food is essential for a strong and healthy body and is part of every yoga journey. Therefore, YogMatra Eco Homestay serves 100% vegetarian food. All of it is prepared with much love. As much as possible, meals are prepared with organic and locally grown vegetables, fruits, and herbs from the neighbouring gardens of the villagers. All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, chai and water are included in the retreat price. No meat or alcohol of any kind is allowed at the premises.
Retreat Place
Urgam Valley is known as the Valley of Meditation. It is named after Urvashi, the son of king Puranjaya of the Pandavas lineage, who meditated in this valley thousands of years ago. Urgam Valley is also called Shiva’s Mystical Land and is known for its fifth Kedar “Kalpeshwar Mahadev”, the temple where lord Shiva’s dreads (hair) can be seen.
The valley is covered in lush greenery, agricultural land, open meadows, and forests with diverse flora and fauna. Especially, at the outer edges of the forest and alongside the fresh water-streams, colourful butterflies, and exotic birds can be witnessed. The famous treks Rudranath, Bansi Narayan, and Nandi Kund can all be started from Urgam Valley.
Moreover, one of India’s most important religious places called “Badrinath” is 65 kilometres away. The well-known “Valley of Flowers”, as well as India’s most loved skiing resort, Auli, are just a short drive from Urgam Valley.
The early morning sun rises from behind the massive Himalayan peaks: Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, and Nanda Ghunti peaks, slowly covering the valley in the golden sunlight. The peaks are clearly visible from YogMatra Eco Homestay. Out of the mighty Chaukhamba peak flows the Kalp Ganga River, which provides the entire valley and its inhabitants with fresh spring water.
How to Reach Urgam Valley?
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (275 kms)
Nearest Railway Station: Yog Nagri, Rishikesh (250 kms)
Nearest Bus Station: Rishikesh ISBT (245 kms)
Google Maps Location: https://g.co/kgs/JYgEaD
Package Pricing
Bed in a 4-Bed Shared Room: 16,500 INR Person
Bed in a Twin Sharing Room: 18,500 INR Person
Private Room: 22,500 INR Person
What is included in the package
- All daily yoga and meditation classes
- All hikes into nature and treks to temples
- 3 daily vegetarian & local meals along with tea and snacks
- 6 nights’ accommodation in YogMatra Eco Homestay on a twin-sharing basis
- Spiritual music and bonfire
What is not included
- Visa
- Airplane tickets
- Transportation to and from Rishikesh
- Anything ordered apart from meals provided as mentioned above
- Ayurvedic Foot Massage is available at a cost of INR 750 for 30 mins per session
- Organic products like ghee, honey, lentils and other herbs are available at an extra cost
How to Book
Save your spot by depositing 6,000 INR
Gpay number: 9404721445
UPI ID: palsachendra@icici
Contact us
Sachendra : +91-9404721445 / +91-78761 59186
Email : [email protected]
Follow us on Social Media
Terms & Conditions
- Reservation Deposit: A deposit is required to secure your reservation. This deposit must be paid at least 14 days prior to your arrival at the property. The remaining balance is due upon check-out.
- Cancellation Policy:
- You may cancel your reservation up to 10 days prior to your arrival to receive a full refund of your deposit.
- If you cancel less than 10 days before your arrival, the deposit will not be refunded.
- If you are a foreigner, you hereby agree that you are in possession of a valid passport and valid visa for India.
- No-Show Policy: If you do not arrive on your scheduled check-in date without prior notice, the 30% deposit will be forfeited.
- Modification of Reservation: Any changes to the reservation dates or guest details must be communicated at least 5 days prior to the arrival date. Changes are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.
- Damage and Liability: Guests are responsible for any damage that they have caused to the property during their stay.
- Payment Methods: We accept GPay/UPI for deposits and final payments.