Hold your room at Sharanam.
29th Nov – 5th Dec, 2026 |
Some journeys you take once. This is not one of them. In more than two hundred retreats over twenty-five years, I have learned that not a single one repeats itself — each opens a different gateway, teaches a different lesson, and gives back a different kind of joy. Sharanam is the next of these, and it is waiting for you.
For seven days, from 29 November to 5 December, a small circle of likeminded will gather in the first snow of the Dhauladhar Himalaya — to move, to breathe, to sit in silence, and to rest deeply. I will guide every session myself, from the first sunrise practice to the closing blessing, and everything is taken care of: six nights, all meals, every experience, all-inclusive from £990. You need only bring yourself.
Limited Space, held on a first-come basis. Come and build your refuge.
Book This Retreat
The meaning of the name
A dharamshala is a shelter — the rest-house where a pilgrim pauses on a long road. Sharanam is that same word for refuge, spoken in the Himalaya where it has always belonged.
For seven days you will not travel to a place of rest. You will learn to build one within — a refuge you carry home long after the snow has melted from the Dhauladhar. This is the quiet turning-inward the yogis call pratyahara, taught the way late autumn teaches it: as the light shortens and the mountains withdraw into stillness.
Why this week, this place
A rare convergence you can only meet here, in early December.
The season turns inward
The year folds into winter. The peaks withdraw under their first snow and nature itself enters pratyahara. The landscape is doing the practice with you — there is no better moment to learn to rest.
Classical Himalayan Yoga
Sunrise sadhana, pranayama, deep meditation and yoga nidra, drawn from the classical Himalayan lineage and woven around Patanjali’s eight limbs — taught by Sumit Manav in the mountains the practice came from.
The Buddhist heart of Dharamshala
A full day among the monasteries of McLeod Ganj — the Tsuglagkhang complex, Namgyal Monastery and Norbulingka — with the chance to sit in living Tibetan meditation. Two paths to stillness, one valley.
Your Yoga Guru: Sumit Manav
The Yoga & Ayurveda retreat is led by Sumit Manav. Sumit’s journey began at the early age of 14 in a North Indian town in Uttar Pradesh (India). He then proceeded to the Himalayas, where he discovered Yoga as the path to human consciousness and overall well-being, under the spiritual guidance of Guru Shreeram Sharma Acharya. During his training, Sumit interacted with the mystics and it was this experience that brought him closer to understanding the physiology and psychology of the human body.
In 2005, he earned his Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga Science and Human Consciousness from Haridwar in India, following which he started practicing as a professional Yoga Instructor. Today, with over 20 years of experience, Sumit continues to spread his wisdom of Yoga across the world by practicing and facilitating progressive yoga through dynamic asanas, pranayamas (breathing), meditation, spiritual and yogic counseling, reflex actions, yoga therapy and corporate wellness.
Everything held for you, but the flight.
Highlights:
Rakkh Resort, in the lap of the Dhauladhar.
A serene mountain resort wrapped in pine forest and terraced fields in the Kangra Valley, a short journey from Dharamshala. Quiet, warm, and built to disappear into the landscape — exactly the kind of shelter the week is named for.
A path that descends gently inward.
Each day balances practice, exploration and deep rest — moving outward into the mountains and the monasteries, then home again to stillness. Mornings open on the breath; evenings close in silence.
This Itinerary just sample and program and class subject to change.
One price. Everything inside.
All meals, all teaching, all experiences and your transfers — held together for a single, intimate group of no more than twenty. Reserve early to secure the early-bird rate.
Early Bird
Single Occupancy
GBP 1,290
Before August 15th, 2026
Early Bird
Double Occupancy
GBP 990 per person
Before 15th August, 2026
Full Price
Single Occupancy
GBP 1,390
From 16th August, 2026
Full Price
Double Occupancy
GBP 1190
From 16th August, 2026
BOOK NOW
Cancellation Policy
Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable. We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise; however, because of the commitments we make ahead of the retreat and its proximity, deposits and payments cannot be refunded.
Before registering, please make sure you can fully commit to joining us in the mountains. If you find you are unable to attend, you are welcome to find a replacement so that your reservation can be transferred to them.
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to protect your investment, including cover for medical, travel and cancellation.
Price includes
- 7 Days & 6 Nights Accommodation in a Deluxe Room
- Vegetarian Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea, Dinner)
- Herbal teas; Daily Detox beverages
- Daily Unique Yoga Session with Sumit Manav
- Three Ayurveda massage (60 min. each)
- Havan Puja once during retreat
- Live Classical Music & dinner once during stay
- 1 Ayurvedic Lecture and Cooking Class
- 1 Ayurvedic Consultation with Expert Ayurveda Doctor
- 1-Day Rishikesh Yoga Festival
- Airport Transfers to & from Dehradun Airport
- Sunrise Visit at Kunjaprui Temple
- Ganga Aarti Visit
- Visit to Rishikesh Market
Price excludes
- International & domestic flights to Kangra (DHM)
- Lunch at a local restaurant on the excursion day
- Travel insurance (required for all guests)
- Indian visa, where applicable
- Optional spa treatments
- Personal expenses, gratuities & anything of a personal nature
Factsheet
Activities:
Mountain Biking
Tree Rope Obstacle Courses
Sky-cycling
Wall Climbing
Guided Hikes and Treks (easy, moderate & difficult)
Nature and Village walks
Pickleball
Pottery learning session
Handloom weaving learning session
Yoga (on request)
Soft Adventure-Archery/Dartboard/ Badminton
Kids Activities: Kids Obstacle Course / Nature Scavenger Hunt / Slacklining / Tent Pitching /
Log Balancing / Ninja Lining/
Local meal cultural experiences (On request / subject to occupancy)
Infinity Swimming Pool
Our in-house activities coordinator takes pleasure in customizing an itinerary for you based on
your interests.
Arrival and Departure Policy:
Check-In: 1400Hours, Early arrival is subject to availability.
Check-out: 100 Hours, Late check-out is subject to availability.
Special Note:
Televisions and Mini-fridge are not a part of the room amenities as we believe that
our destination is perfect to reconnect with nature and switch off from everything
digital.
All meals are served in our multi-cuisine restaurant “Dham”, and we do not offer in-
room dining as a policy, and encourage people to enjoy the ambience of our open
restaurant.
Wi-Fi is available only in the reception area.
A walk up to the restaurant and cottages in the resort is slightly inclined and
not recommended for people with walking problems.
1 Who is this retreat for?
Everyone — whether you have practised for years or are only beginning. Every session is taught so it can be softened or deepened to meet you, and the experiences (hikes, paragliding, biking) are all optional in intensity. What matters is a willingness to slow down. It’s especially loved by guests from the UK and Dubai looking for genuine rest and depth, but open to practitioners from anywhere.
2 How do I get there?
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (Gaggal · code DHM), around 45 minutes from Rakkh Resort, with return transfers included in your price. Most international guests fly into Delhi (DEL) and connect on a short domestic flight to Kangra. Once you book, we’ll send full guidance on the best routes and arrival timings for the first day.
3 What will the weather be like in early December?
Late autumn turning to winter in the Dhauladhar: crisp, clear days and cold mornings and nights, with a real chance of the first snow dusting the high peaks. Pack warm layers, a good jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and something for the natural spring pools. It is part of the magic of this season — the mountains at their most still.
4 I'm travelling solo — can I share a room?
Yes. The shared rate (from £990 per person early bird) is for a twin/double room, and solo travellers are happily paired with another guest of the same gender. If you’d prefer your own space to retreat fully, the single-occupancy rate (from £1,290 early bird) gives you a private room throughout.
5 Will we actually sit in Buddhist meditation?
On the Dharamshala day you’ll visit the Tsuglagkhang complex, Namgyal Monastery and the Norbulingka Institute, with the opportunity to sit quietly in the living rhythm of Tibetan practice. The exact form depends on the monasteries’ own schedules on the day, but the intention is always to experience this tradition with respect, as guests — a beautiful counterpoint to the yogic stillness of the mornings.
6 What does a typical day feel like?
Mornings open early with practice and breath as the sun rises over the range. Days move outward into the mountains, the monasteries or the water. Evenings return home to the resort for restorative practice, meditation or sound, a sattvic dinner, and quiet. Spacious, never rushed — with real rest built into every day.
7 How do I reserve my place?
Use any “Reserve” button or the enquiry below to get in touch. A deposit holds your room, and our team will confirm the balance schedule and answer anything else. With only twenty places, rooms are held on a first-come basis — so the sooner you reach out, the better your choice of room.