India Pilgrimage & Retreat 2025

India Pilgrimage & Retreat 2025
Himalayan Foothills

Along the Holy Ganges River
Led by Soraya Saraswati & Terry Oldfield
Nov 5th - 19 Nov 2025

Yoga Music Mantra Meditation Vedanta

Dawn over the Mountains, Yoga on the Ganga, Arati, Meditation Caves, Village life.

An inner and outer Journey of the Heart

All inclusive – Accommodation – Meals – Internal travel

India Retreat 2024
Quick Overview

Join a small group led by Soraya and Terry. From Dehradun airport you will be picked up and driven to Rishikesh. During our pilgrimage we will follow the holy river Ganges up to its source, Devprayag. A journey of the heart to nourish body & soul.

The towns of Rishikesh and Devprayag are pilgrimage places for Hindus, attracting ancient sages, saints and sadhus. Many spend years meditating in caves and ashrams along the Ganges River in search of higher knowledge. This area is steeped in history and alive with Meditation Caves, Ashrams and Temples.

Fly to Dehradun Fly home from Dehradun. 6 days exploring the area + 7 days in an organic Himalayan Foothill Retreat. It is surrounded by Nature and overlooks the Ganges. This will be twin share. All other accommodation will be private rooms.

A mixture of twin share foothill retreat accommodation, a homely cottage in Rishikesh and higher in the Himalayan foothills with single occupancy rooms. .

Early Bird $4222.00 before September 30th| Full Price $4555.00

A $500 secures your place

From Dehradun to Rishikesh

From our airport pick up we begin with several days enjoying Rishikesh and surrounding villages and nature areas.

While here we drive to the kunjapuri Devi Temple on one morning for a magnificent sunrise meditation.

Rishikesh is a relatively calm and relaxed city. Situated along the two banks of the Holy River Ganges, it is filled with the ashrams and yoga centers.

We will be visiting the Shivananda Ashram and Parmarth Niketan ashram here and attending nightly ritual of Arti on the ghats (steps on the banks of the river).

Arti in Sanskrit, the word ‘arti’ – transcribed as ‘aarati’ – is composed of the prefix ‘aa’, meaning complete, and ‘rati’, meaning love. It is a ceremony of light.

Devprayag Magic
+ an 7 day Retreat
Perched over Ganga

We travel further north from Rishikesh by private car then cross Mother Ganges River by an easy footbridge and discover an organic hermitage perched on the hill overlooking mother Ganga (the Ganges River).

Over the next 7 days Terry and Soraya will offer daily classes in yoga, mantra music and meditation as well as spiritual discussion or satsang.

We will be nourished by delicious delicately cooked food fresh from the retreats organic gardens.

We will visit and meditate in the famous Vashishta Cave.

Spirituality is the heartbeat of India.

A journey to India can be a life changing and heart awakening experience. Every aspect of life in village India is a reminder of the divine aspect that flows through every being great and small, plant animal and human.

India can be a beautifully humbling and for some a personally confronting experience. One you will never forget – it will live in your heart forever. We invite you to join us for this very special travel experience together with practices that will enhance and deepen your inner journey along the way.

Through mantra, music, gentle yoga, meditation, nature and daily inspirations we will share a bonding experience with the wonderful culture, land, rivers and offerings from this ancient land and its people.

YOUR HOSTS:
Soraya Saraswati & Terry Oldfield

Terry Oldfield and Soraya share a love of the Indian people and their traditional culture. Both are seasoned India travellers, so you are in good hands.

Terry through his flutes and songs of wisdom brings a very special presence to the retreat. A talented composer, songwriter and musician he is both strong and gentle.

Soraya Saraswati is a Swami of the Satyananda Tradition of yoga. Her passion is yogic philosophy and Vendanta pointing us toward true union, living as peaceful presence.

Soraya is a trauma informed yoga therapist and Ayurvedic health coach with over 40 years experience. She will be guiding us along the way through meditation, yoga, mantra, energy management and TRE.

The India Retreat Package Includes

Haridwar Rishikesh Devaprayag & the foothills of the Himalayas

Join Soraya & Terry in North India on the Nov 5th – Nov 19th 2025

Transfers and transports

Whilst in India

Airport pickup
International Airport drop off in Delhi.
Car and Bus transfer fares.
Outings in and around Rishikesh
Flights to & From Dehradun India not included

All Meals during retreats

All Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner 90%

You will experience Indian Cuisine.Rich in flavour with many types of breads from gluten free dosa to roti, puris, and samosa, curries, paneer and rice dishes.

Our week retreat includes organic freshly prepared meals by our cooks.

On outing days you may purchase lunch and dinner as you please.

All Accomodation

Twin Share

Comfortable hotel and Retreat accomodation is included on a twin share basis.
Single rooms can be requested at an additional $250 cost if necessary.

Tours & Guide

Whilst in India

All scheduled tours and guides are included in your price.
This includes day excursions, guided walking tours and temples entrance.

Chanting, Meditation & Satsangs

Daily while on Retreat

Terry and Soraya will share music, meditation, yoga and satsangs in the two 7 day retreats.
There will be many opportunities for discussion and deep contemplations along the way.

Ashrams, Temples, Nature

And other Holy Places

You will meet teachers, guides and many wise people as we travel
India is a deep humbling cultural experience
We will visit caves, waterfalls, Temples and Ashrams

Satsang Meditations Culture

We travel as visitors in this land steeped in culture. Best to wear sleeves and have a shawl for temples out of respect. Modest comfortable clothing is best. Swimming or dipping in the Ganga in a sarong.

Daily Satsangs & meditations along the way as we steep ourselves in the ancient philosophy behind the spiritual culture of India.

Morning Chanting

Led by Terry & Soraya with ancient mantra & deep stillness

With spontaneity and taking advantage of the magic in our journey. This is yoga in action moment by moment in presence.

Yogic Wisdom

Offered with love

Soraya & Terry will offer their wisdom and knowledge on the history of Yoga and Nondual Philosophy in India and its holy places as we travel together.

Local Guide

India Guide

At times we will have a local India guide accompanying us so we can enjoy deeper aspects of the culture..

A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place.

Full payment by Sept 30th 2024. Numbers limited

India Retreat 2024 - Daily Program

Day 1: 5th Nov Arrival in Dehradun

Arrival at Dehradun Airport (you may have to fly via Delhi Airport). Transfer to our hotel in Rishikesh.
Meals include : Lunch and dinner as arrival time.

Day 2: 6th Nov Travel to Haridwar

To be UPDATED

Day 3: 14th Nov Haridwar - Rishikesh

Tour in Haridwar to Temples, Ashrams, Ghats and local famous places.

Days 3 - 6 : Friday 14th - 17th Nov : Rishikesh

Rishikesh is an extraordinary city and one that will touch your heart. Resting either side of the Ganges and lined with Ashrams, Temples, markets and cows. We will explore the Ghats, the River, Lakshman Jhula and attend evening Arati on the Ganga in several places.
Overnight Hotel stay in a centrally located hotel where we can walk to most things. We will be exploring each day and walking quite a lot so wear comfortable shoes.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7 - 13: 18th Nov - 24th Nov Ananda Lok Retreat + outings

After a leisurely breakfast we travel via waterfalls and Temple lookout to cross the Ganga River to our Hermitage Retreat Ananda Lok.

You will love the peaceful surrounds here with all organic meals from wonderful cooks. Soraya and Terry lead daily yoga, meditation, music and philosophy.

Here we will have several outings to visit meditation caves and sacred sites. We will travel to the source of the Ganges River at Deva Prayag and stay high in the foothills for 2 nights.

Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 14: Rishikesh

This morning we say goodbye to the beautiful Himalayan Hermitage and make our way by car or mini-bus back to Rishikesh for one more evening of ceremony. And shopping if you wish. Breakfast & lunch included. Final evening meal together at own cost.

Day 15: 26th Nov Travel to Delhi Airport

This morning we say goodbye to to Rishikesh, Mother Ganga and the foothills by car or mini-bus toward Delhi. Depending on when your flight is we can either stay overnight (at your expense) in Delhi or travel straight to the airport for evening flights. Our tour is complete.

Kind Words from previous India Retreat Attendees

When Soraya and Terry advertised their Yoga retreat India was calling us to join them there. We were so excited, a sign this was perfect timing. It was all I hoped it would be and so much more. What took it to the next level was our time with Terry and Soraya which made a wonderful experience truly divine. Yoga, meditation, music (Terry’s flute, the divine voices of Terry and Soraya and music creating a space to elevate to higher places), teachings and sharing and just being in the presence of love and harmony was an experience I want to continue to be inspired to live by, to make this way of life my way of life. We shared our time with a like minded group. Our day trips to the Ashram to spend time with Saratma and our meditative river trip, temples, palace, the most southern tip of India, markets wove into the tapestry of richness of our experience and has created a hunger to experience more. Thank you Terry and Soraya for all you are and share with others and for providing this space of love to just be and know we can find the emptiness.

What a blessing to be part of the Music, Meditation Mindfulness and Mantra Retreat Easter 2015. There was a generous sharing of knowledge from Soraya and Terry, such warmth and gentleness from the Indian people, I felt very safe, with the bonus of the beauty of India. Now that I am home I have been able to incorporate many things that I learned on Retreat which helps me feel I have an enriched life.

The India retreat with professional facilitators Soraya and Terry Oldfield was a valuable insight to Meditation and Mindfulness. It was a joyful and uplifting experience, one I would like to do again. Denyse Liddy.

What a divine, amazing, superb and magnificent venture we had with Terry and Soraya to India. Being someone that was somewhat nervous about stepping right outside my comfort zone with Yoga and Ayurveda I was rather apprehensive until I arrived and survived the first day with so much pleasure and then it was just onwards and upwards from there. Magic in every sense of the word. I think the words of Terry’s song sum it all up for me of the journey: Then I fell in love with everything… Threw away the key To all the places I’d been sheltering… To where I’d rather be I fell in love with everything… Broke down the wall And now there’s nothing wrong with anything… Nothing wrong at all I would be back there on that journey in a heartbeat

I went to the retreat seeking to find a sense of calm and focus to help me undertake a project that I have planned for the year ahead. I definitely came away from the retreat having fulfilled that purpose.

Pay a $500 to secure your place at the

Early Bird Price of $4222.00 Twin Share / Full Price $ 4555.00

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the retreat?

It runs for 14 days from 12th November arrival in Delhi and ends in Delhi on November 25th where you can leave India from the international airport or travel on

What is included?

All internal Accommodation in India, internal car and bus travel, 90% meals, with an option to eat separately on outings and while traveling.

Are the flights included?

International flights are not included. We are happy help you with your flight and visa information.

What style of accomodation do we stay?

We will be staying in clean local retreat places, each with ensuite, and a restaurant. In a Himalayan Foothill Yoga Retreat the rooms a lovely – Organic garden supply the freshly cooked food from the kitchens. All carefully chosen for your comfort. It is twin share accommodation.

What isn't included?

International airfares to and from India.
Visas which can be purchased easily online – we will advise.
Any personal needs or spending on shopping,
Personal toiletries.
Any personal medications.
Tips and donations.
Travel Insurance – Please take out travel insurance before arriving in India.

Can I travel on at the end of the Retreat

It is possible to travel on and some choose to visit the Taj Mahal near Delhi before leaving. This is easy to arrange. Please discuss with Soraya.

What is your cancellation policy?

We retain a $500 booking fee if you cancel up to 4 weeks before the retreat. Cancelation after this time brings a $600 booking fee as numbers are limited and we may have to turn people away. If we fill your spot we will reduce the cancellation fee.

Do you offer a payment plan?

Yes, we can set up a payment plan after the $500 deposit is paid. The payment plan must be completed 4 weeks prior to travel.

Do you help arrange flights?

Yes we can advise you on this. Booking earlier is better. We can share our preferred travel agent for bookings.

What is the weather like at this time of the year?

November is a cooler time in India and the most pleasant to travel. So bring clothes for mild coolish Autumn. It is easy to have your clothes laundered along the way so travel as light as you can

India Pilgrimage & Retreat 2025