Yoga and Meditation Retreats
The word "retreat" covers experiences with almost nothing in common. A week of yoga beside a Portuguese pool and ten days of silence in an Indian ashram ask for neither the same preparation nor the same appetite. The first question is not where, it is what you are going for.
Three destinations, three intentions
India, and Rishikesh in particular, is the place of origin. You go for the source: traditional teaching, philosophy, a disciplined timetable, simple lodging. It is also the most demanding destination — the time difference, the climate, the food and the intensity of the setting call for real adaptation.
Bali, around Ubud, has become the most visited option. Centres are comfortable, classes are in English, the food is designed for visitors. It is the best balance between change of scene and comfort, and also the most exposed to purely commercial offers dressed as spirituality.
Portugal, in the Algarve or Alentejo, is the shortest trip from Montreal — an overnight flight, no vaccinations, a bearable time shift. It is the destination for a first attempt, and the one that suits someone who wants yoga without a spiritual commitment. To extend the stay in Bali, see our Thailand and Bali guide.
The questions to ask before booking
A retreat is sold in photographs, and photographs say nothing about what matters. Five questions by email, whose answers sort the serious offers quickly.
How many hours of practice a day, and at what times? An honest retreat states a precise schedule. Is the teacher present all week or alternating? What is the group size? Are meals included and of what kind — many retreats are vegetarian without saying so plainly. And finally: what happens if you skip a session? The answer tells you a great deal about the spirit of the place.
Vipassana — the special case
Vipassana courses run ten days, in complete silence, without reading, writing or phones, with around ten hours of seated meditation a day. They are offered without a fixed fee, funded by donations from past participants.
This is not a relaxation retreat, and it should be said plainly: many people find the experience gruelling. You commit to staying the full ten days. Registration opens on fixed dates and places go quickly. For someone looking to rest, this is the wrong door.
What to know before you go
The first day is almost always hard — jet lag, fatigue, a body that objects. It is not a sign the retreat is bad. Plan an arrival night before the programme begins rather than going straight in, especially for India and Bali.
Check what your travel insurance covers as well: some supervised physical activities fall under exclusions depending on the policy, and a retreat in a remote area complicates any medical repatriation.
When should you go?
For northern India, October to March — the monsoon and summer heat make Rishikesh difficult. For Bali, April to October, the dry season. For Portugal, spring and autumn, since summer is hot and crowded in the Algarve.
Organising the trip from Quebec
Retreats are booked directly with the centres, but the trip around them still has to be built: flights, an arrival night, transfers from an often distant airport, and the days you add before or after. An adviser can also check what your insurance covers in the country you choose.
Voyages AquaTerra holds a Quebec travel agency licence. Our clients are covered by the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents, under the conditions set out in the regulation. Call an adviser at 1-866-628-6241.
