A Life-Changing Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh, India With Thom Knoles
Vedic Meditation Retreat in India • January 2026
Join Thom for an Unforgettable, Immersive India Retreat
Thom Knoles invites you to join him for a once-in-a-lifetime immersion in Vedic culture and tradition.
Join Thom in the foothills of the Himalayas, on the banks of the Ganges River, and throughout historical and sacred sites in northern India.
With deep meditation, knowledge sessions, meeting great masters of the Vedic lineage, and a rich community, this experience will define the rest of your year and beyond.
Once-In-A-Lifetime Pilgrimage
Explore sacred sites where the vibration of Vedic knowledge is strong.
Escape the repetitive demands of daily life and embrace a spiritual retreat in India. Shift your perspective and expand your horizons in a serene and nurturing environment.
Meditate in the ashram where Thom studied under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and experience ceremony and meditation in sites of profound pilgrimage.
“I love retreating with Thom [in India] because it gives me the space to rest and restore, dial into my inner compass and gain clarity about my life.”
Giancarlo P.
Take a look inside Thom’s India Retreat
Connect With Your Worldwide Community of Meditators
Meet meditators from around the world and experience the nourishment of intentional community.
Together, you’ll explore the origins of your Vedic Meditation practice and dive deep into advanced concepts that will take your meditation practice – and evolution – to an accelerated level.
Learn From the Masters of the Vedic Tradition
Learn from Thom as his student in a rare opportunity of in-person access at the same sites where Thom himself raised his awareness under the tutelage of his master.
Expand your state consciousness with Vedic knowledge flowing directly from the source.
Advance Your Meditation Practice
With Rounding and meditation daily, you will maintain a deep state of rest while taking in the sights and sounds of Mother India.
Vedic Meditation Initiators will guide you through your daily meditation program, provide support throughout your experience, and help cultivate a stable, blissful state.
Vedic Meditation Initiators will guide you through your daily meditation program, provide support throughout your experience, and help cultivate a stable, blissful state.
OUR RETREAT DESTINATION
Thom’s annual wellness retreat in India takes place in Rishikesh, a pilgrimage destination visited by spiritual seekers across all traditions. Rishikesh is widely considered the home of the best meditation retreats in India.
birthplace of meditation
Experience the vibration of Vedic knowledge
Step away from your daily routine and advance your progress toward enlightenment
Learn everything there is to know about the origins of your Vedic Meditation practice
unique experiences
Meet living masters of the Vedic Tradition
Personal tours of Thom’s beloved sites
Visit sacred temples and ashrams
Deepen your knowledge with Thom’s teachings
luxury accommodation
Four-star resort experience
Private beach access to Ganga
Farm-to-table local vegetarian cuisine
Comfortable transportation for touring
Accommodation
Choose from three room types at Divine Resort:
Mountain View Room
Interior rooms with a city and mountain view. Some rooms have partial Ganges views.
Shared Occupancy
Single Occupancy
Ganges View Room
Well-appointed rooms with 180° views of the Ganges River and a balcony overlooking the Himalayan valley.
Shared Occupancy
Single Occupancy
Deluxe Ganges View Room
Corner rooms with breathtaking 270° views of the Ganges River and a balcony overlooking the Himalayan valley.
Shared Occupancy
Single Occupancy
Included in your experience:
- Accommodation at Divine Resort, a luxury property set at the foothills of the Himalayas, with beach access to the Ganges River
- Luxury transportation between Divine Resort and Dehradun Airport/Haridwar Train Station
- Vegetarian meals and snacks daily
- Admissions fees for all excursions and activities
- Daily excursions with Thom to sites of pilgrimage and visits with great masters of the Vedic tradition
- Twice daily lectures and knowledge meetings with Thom
- Rounding Instruction and twice-daily group Rounding
- Check-ins with a Vedic Meditation Initiator assigned to you to support you throughout the retreat
INDIA Retreat Registration
SHARED OCCUPANCY
From USD 4,900
- 11 Days, 10 nights immersive retreat with Thom
- Daily excursions and lectures
- Twin bed, shared bath
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
From USD 6,600
- 11 Days, 10 nights immersive retreat with Thom
- Daily excursions and lectures
- King bed, private bath
Health & Safety Protocols
- We may require participants to take a series of at-home antigen tests before the start of the retreat at an additional cost to the retreat participant (typically USD 10-20).
- We plan to test participants throughout the retreat at no additional cost.
- We will continually monitor and update our protocols as COVID conditions evolve.
“Come to India and let me show you my ‘hometown,’ where I learned everything that I know from my master, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.”
Thom Knoles
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN DOES THE RETREAT START AND END?
Check-in at Divine Resort begins at 3:00 pm on January 18th. The latest check-out on January 28th is 11:00 am.
Our first lecture with Thom will begin at 8:00 pm on January 18th. Our last lecture with Thom will take place on the evening of January 27th.
Informal farewells with Thom will take place after breakfast on January 28th.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION?
-International flights to and from India
-Domestic travel from Delhi Airport to Dehradun Airport or Haridwar Train Station
-Lab administered PCR tests taken 24 hours before International Travel (required for our retreat, USD 200-300)
-Advanced Technique training with Thom
-Additional private experiences include consultations with Thom, consultations with The Raju family, and Jyotish readings.
how many rounds will we do per day?
You will be enjoying two Rounds per day, one in the morning, and one in the evening. There will not be a High Rounding experience offered on this retreat.
will this retreat satisfy my rounding retreat prerequisite for initiator training?
This retreat will not satisfy the prerequisite for Initiator Training, as there will not be any High Rounding as part of this retreat experience. Your 11-Day Retreat experience with Thom will be focused on experience in India and knowledge.
I’ve never been to India before. will you help me feel comfortable?
Traveling to a yoga and meditation retreat in India is a safe and pleasant experience, especially with Thom and our local support team. From the moment you register for the retreat until your return home after the retreat, you will be well looked after and feel comfortable traveling internationally with a large community of Vedic Meditators.
i’d like to see more of India before/after the retreat. how do i make arrangements to do so?
Please contact Kumar Selvan, one of our local travel guides. He will organize an itinerary for you and provide you with many options to tour India before or after our retreat.
Mr. Kumar Selvan
Ethos Events +91 9910202505
operations1@ethosevents.in
What if I need to cancel or can’t make the trip?
All payments are non-refundable.
We strongly encourage the purchase of trip cancellation insurance for protection against any potential loss of fees.
WHAT ARE THE CANCELLATION POLICIES CONCERNING COVID-19?
If international tourists are no longer allowed into India due to the spread of COVID-19, we will refund 100% of the retreat fees to all participants.
We highly encourage all participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance for financial protection against situations like this.
I can’t make the entire 11-day retreat but will be in India visiting. can i pay a day rate for the days i can attend?
Thom’s retreat is not open for drop-in attendees or partial attendance.
If travel schedules cause a delay of one day or an early departure of one day, that is acceptable; otherwise, attendance for all days is required for the retreat.
I’d like to invite someone who isn’t a meditator yet. Can they learn?
Friends and family who do not yet practice Vedic Meditation should learn Vedic Meditation before the retreat begins. If you would like a recommendation for a local Vedic Meditation teacher, please email us and we will put you in touch with them.
Is there a payment plan?
A USD 1,500 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Then, 50% of your balance is due on October 15 and your final balance is due on November 15, 2024.
India Retreat Registration Opens in August 2025
Please click below to stay informed about next year’s tour.
