The Himalayan Journey —Within
A 7-day immersive retreat through the Himalayas that shaped a seeker's path.
Sixteen years ago, Harsha came to these mountains as a wandering seeker, exploring hermitages, sacred places, and questions that would shape his life.
This retreat is an invitation to walk part of that journey together.
The retreat unfolds through visits to mountains, villages, hermitages, and sacred places, alongside teachings, stories, conversation, nature, and rest.
The days move gently.
There is structure, but also spaciousness — enough room to walk, reflect, and immerse.
18 October – 24 October 2026
Limited to 5 participants
A Gentle Note
Each participant experiences the retreat differently. The retreat is an opportunity to explore, reflect, converse, and spend time in the Himalayas.
Although the journey follows a shared structure, each person's experience and takeaway will naturally be their own.
Small Group: Limited to five participants to allow for meaningful conversation, personal attention, and a quieter retreat experience.
Knowledge & Story Sessions: Stories, teachings, and conversations drawn from Harsha's years as a wandering seeker in the Himalayas, along with space for questions and dialogue.
Himalayan Exploration: Visits to villages, hermitages, sacred sites, Gangotri, nature trails, and other places that formed part of Harsha's journey as a wandering seeker in the Himalayas..
Yoga & Wellbeing: Gentle morning yoga and wellbeing sessions with Alisha, supporting rest, movement, and reflection throughout the retreat.
Visit Harsha's Former Hermitage: Visit one of the places where Harsha lived during his years as a wandering seeker, accompanied by stories, reflections, and conversation from that period of his life.
Private Himalayan Cottages: Your own cottage throughout the retreat, offering space for reflection, rest, and quiet time between sessions.
A Glimpse of the Retreat
The retreat takes place in a quiet Himalayan valley where the mountains, river, villages, and retreat space become part of the experience.
Places Along the Journey
The Retreat Place
Exploration & Experiences
Voices from Earlier Journeys
Meet Your Hosts
Harsha's path to spirituality began after leaving a career in software engineering to pursue the ultimate goal - liberation.
He spent several years as a wandering seeker in the Himalayas, living in hermitages, travelling through remote mountain regions, and exploring the questions that would eventually shape his life and work.
Many of the places visited during this retreat formed part of that journey.
Today, he shares a blend of lived experience and traditional scriptural wisdom, shaped by his years in the Himalayas and his study of the original Sanskrit scriptures.
Alisha Netalkar is an Integrative Yoga Therapist and Meditation Facilitator based in Goa, India.
Her approach is grounded, integrates the body and mind equally, and is highly individualistic, considering each person's unique traits and personality.
Besides being a certified Yoga Alliance Hatha Yoga teacher from the Sivananda (Swami Vishnudevananda) lineage, she has been extensively mentored in the Bihar School of Yoga tradition, has undergone over 2 years of study in yoga philosophy, and is currently pursuing an 800-hr Yoga Therapy certification from the IAYT-accredited Svastha Yoga & Ayurveda (The Mohan Family, from the Krishnamacharya lineage).
Alisha believes one's yoga practice is truly complete when the body, breath, senses, mind and idea of the Self are integrated.
Retreat Flow
17 October (Saturday) — Arrival in Rishikesh
Arrive in Rishikesh and settle in.
Welcome Dinner
Meet Harsha, Alisha, and fellow participants over an informal welcome dinner in the evening.
18 October (Sunday) — Into the Himalayas
Journey by road from Rishikesh to the retreat location.
Arrival & settling in.
19–21 October (Monday–Wednesday) — Retreat Immersion
Daily teachings, conversations, and guided wellbeing practices.
Time is also set aside for nature trails, village exploration, personal reflection, and informal discussions throughout the retreat.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
22 October (Thursday) — Journey to Gangotri
Travel to Gangotri, one of the most sacred locations in the Himalayas.
Along the way:
Natural hot water springs
Visit to Harsha's former hermitage
Stories and reflections from Harsha's years as a wandering seeker in the Himalayas
Apple orchards and Himalayan landscapes
Overnight stay in Gangotri.
23 October (Friday) — Gangotri Exploration
Morning Ganga worship
Visit to a traditional yogi cave
Exploration of local sacred sites
Throughout the day:
Informal conversations and teachings
Stories and discussions with Harsha in the setting where many of his own spiritual explorations unfolded
Return to the retreat location by evening.
24 October (Saturday) — Closing & Return
Closing reflections and retreat conclusion.
Return journey to Rishikesh.
Practical Information
Accommodation
Participants will stay at a comfortable Himalayan retreat property surrounded by mountains, forests, and village life.
The retreat includes one overnight stay in Gangotri during the Himalayan excursion.
Please note that accommodation in Rishikesh is not included.
Food
Simple, nourishing vegetarian meals will be provided throughout the retreat, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Vegan options can be arranged with prior notice. Participants are requested to inform us in advance of any dietary restrictions or allergies.
The welcome dinner in Rishikesh on 17 October is included.
Travel
Participants are responsible for arranging their travel — to and from —Dehradun Airport (DED).
Complimentary airport transfers between Dehradun Airport and Rishikesh are included on the arrival and departure days of the participant.
The retreat begins with a welcome dinner in Rishikesh on 17 October and concludes upon return to Rishikesh on 24 October.
All transportation during the retreat—including travel between Rishikesh, the retreat location, Gangotri, and all scheduled excursions—is included.
Detailed arrival instructions, packing recommendations, and travel guidance will be provided after registration.
What's Included
Complimentary airport transfers between Dehradun Airport and Rishikesh — Pick Up & Drop both.
Welcome dinner on 17 October
Accommodation throughout the retreat — between October 18 to October 24 morning.
One overnight stay in Gangotri
All transportation during the retreat
Daily teaching sessions with Harsha
Daily story sessions and group discussions
Wellbeing sessions with Alisha
Nature trails and village exploration
Visit to Gangotri and surrounding sacred sites
Visit to Harsha's former Himalayan hermitage
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the retreat
Ganga Pooja charges in Gangotri
What's Not Included
Flights and travel — to and from — Dehradun Airport
Accommodation in Rishikesh
Personal purchases and shopping
Travel insurance
Medical expenses
Additional snacks, beverages, or meals outside the retreat program
Any other charges not specifically mentioned in the above ‘What's Included’ section.
Intentionally Small
The retreat is limited to just five participants.
This allows for meaningful conversation, personal attention, and a quieter experience of the Himalayas. Each participant is accommodated in a private cottage, creating space for reflection and rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This retreat is intended for sincere seekers interested in spirituality, self-inquiry, reflection, and the Himalayan way of life. No prior knowledge of philosophy, meditation, or yoga is required.
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Participants typically range from their late twenties to their sixties. What matters most is sincerity of interest, rather than age.
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The retreat includes walks, nature trails, village exploration, and a visit to Gangotri. While a reasonable level of mobility is helpful, the retreat is designed for generally healthy adults, and does not involve strenuous trekking — except for one afternoon village trip, where a little upward walk is needed for ten minutes.
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No. The retreat welcomes both newcomers and experienced practitioners. The sessions are designed to be accessible while still offering depth for those who have been on the path for many years.
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The retreat property rooms are equipped with non-detachable double beds rather than separate single beds. For this reason, room sharing is recommended only for friends, family members, or couples who are comfortable sharing a bed.
The same arrangement applies during the overnight stay in Gangotri.
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Vegetarian meals are included throughout the retreat, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Vegan options can be arranged with prior notice.
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Participants should arrange their travel to Dehradun Airport (DED).
Complimentary group transfers between Dehradun Airport and Rishikesh are included on the arrival and departure days.
Participants are expected to arrive in Rishikesh on 17 October for the welcome dinner with Harsha and Alisha. Please note that accommodation in Rishikesh on the night of 17 October is not included.
The group will depart together for the retreat location on the morning of 18 October and return together to Rishikesh on 24 October.
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A detailed packing list will be provided after registration. In general, participants should bring warm clothing, warm socks, hand gloves, winter caps, walking shoes, personal medications, winter cream and other suitable items for Himalayan weather.
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Wi-fi connectivity is available in the retreat property rooms but occasionally the connectivity can be intermittent, particularly during the Gangotri portion of the retreat. Participants are encouraged to treat this as an opportunity to disconnect from routine and be more fully present.
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Absolutely. Many participants join retreats on their own. The small group size naturally creates opportunities for meaningful conversations and connection.
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October is one of the most beautiful times to experience the Himalayas, with generally clear skies, crisp air, and mountain views after the monsoon season.
At the retreat location near the Uttarkashi region, daytime temperatures are typically around 15–22°C, while nights can range between 5–12°C.
During the Gangotri portion of the retreat, temperatures are significantly colder due to the higher altitude. Daytime temperatures are generally around 5–15°C, while early mornings and nights can range between 0–5°C, and occasionally lower.
Participants should be prepared for cold mornings and evenings by carrying adequate warm clothing, including jackets, thermals, woolens, gloves, and comfortable walking shoes.
A detailed packing list will be provided after registration.
Participation & Registration
Participation in the retreat is limited to 5 participants to preserve the intimacy, depth, and immersive nature of the experience.
Retreat Contribution
The contribution for the retreat is:
₹ 70,000/- per participant
Five monthly contributions of ₹14,000/-
No hidden charges.
The retreat contribution includes accommodation during the retreat, meals, transportation within the retreat, the Gangotri excursion, teaching and story sessions with Harsha, wellbeing sessions with Alisha, and all scheduled retreat activities.
Payment Schedule
To make participation more accessible, the retreat contribution may be paid in five installments:
June — ₹ 14,000/-
July — ₹ 14,000/-
August — ₹ 14,000/-
September — ₹ 14,000/-
October — ₹ 14,000/-
Alternative payment arrangements may be discussed on an individual basis where appropriate.
Registration Process
Submit an enquiry through the form below.
A brief introductory conversation with Harsha can be arranged, if helpful.
Receive confirmation of availability and payment details.
Complete the first installment to reserve your place.
Receive retreat preparation materials, travel guidance, and updates leading up to the retreat.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
The retreat is intentionally small, and many arrangements—including accommodation, transportation, and other logistics—are planned in advance based on the number of confirmed participants.
For this reason, the following refund policy applies:
Cancellation more than 60 days before the retreat start date: 75% refund of the amount paid
Cancellation between 30 and 60 days before the retreat start date: 50% refund of the amount paid
Cancellation less than 30 days before the retreat start date: No refund
If a participant is unable to attend, they may transfer their place to another person, subject to prior approval.
Should the retreat need to be cancelled by the organizers due to unforeseen circumstances, participants will receive a refund of payments made, less any non-recoverable expenses already incurred on their behalf.
Participants are encouraged to obtain travel insurance covering trip cancellation, travel disruptions, and medical expenses.
Join Us in the Himalayas
If this retreat resonates with you, we invite you to get in touch.
Participation is intentionally limited to 5 participants so that the experience remains personal, immersive, and conducive to meaningful dialogue.
Whether you have a question, would like to discuss your participation, or are ready to reserve your place, we would be happy to hear from you.
Prefer a Conversation?
You are welcome to schedule a brief call with Harsha to discuss the retreat, ask questions, and explore whether it is the right fit for you.
Schedule a Call
Email: harsha@ajatsrishti.com
WhatsApp: +91 7818860656
Please send a WhatsApp message to arrange a call.
We look forward to sharing this journey with you.