Plan by season · 7 min read
Winter retreats in the Himalayas: what's open, what closes, and how to stay warm
Which Himalayan retreats close for winter and which stay open, computed from their own season notes, why Rishikesh and the foothills suit December to February, and how to travel and stay warm.
Written by RetreatAdvisors editors · Updated October 2026
Quick answers
- Which Himalayan retreats close in winter?
- By their own sites, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Sivananda Kutir (Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre) and Tushita Meditation Centre close or stop taking guests for part of the winter. Most other places in the higher hills are cold and quiet in winter, with fewer programmes, so check their calendars before you plan.
- Where can I go on a winter retreat in the Himalayas?
- The foothills: Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun have sunny, mild days through December to February. 19 of the 24 retreats we list around Rishikesh are at their best in winter, against 3 of the 27 elsewhere in the Himalayan states.
- How cold is a Himalayan retreat in winter?
- In Rishikesh, nights drop to single digits in December and January while days are pleasant. Around Dharamshala and in Kumaon, nights near freezing and snow are common. In Ladakh, winter is far below freezing.
- Is winter a good time for a Himalayan retreat?
- For the foothills, yes: clear skies, fewer crowds outside the holidays, and good conditions for practice. For the higher hills, spring and autumn are usually better.
On this page
What's open beyond Rishikesh
Beyond Rishikesh, we list 27 retreats in the Himalayan states, from Dharamshala and Bir to Kumaon, Uttarkashi, Sikkim, Arunachal and Ladakh. Here is how each does in winter, from the best months on its listing and what it says on its own site.
| Retreat | Where | In winter | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati | Mayavati | Closes or pauses for winter | Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| AyurVAID Kalmatia | Kalimat Estate, Kasar Devi | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Bamboo Retreat | Rumtek | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–May, Oct–Dec |
| Chinmaya Tapovan (Sandeepany Himalayas) | Sidhbari, near Dharamshala | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Deer Park Institute | Bir, Kangra | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–May, Oct–Nov |
| Dhamma Aruna – Arunachal Vipassana Meditation Centre | Mudoi village, Changlang district | Good in winter | Oct–Mar |
| Dhamma Laddha Vipassana Meditation Centre | Saboo village, near Leh | Not at its best; check dates | May–Oct |
| Dhamma Sikhara Vipassana Centre | Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Dhamma Sineru – Sikkim Vipassana Centre | Upper Samdong, near Gangtok | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–May, Oct–Dec |
| Dharmalaya Institute | Forest campus above Bir, Kangra | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov |
| Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre | Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–May, Oct–Nov |
| Himveda | Tangroti village, near Dharamshala | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Kayakalp – Himalayan Research Institute for Yoga & Naturopathy | Holta, Palampur | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Madhuban – Sri Aurobindo Ashram | Talla Ramgarh | Not at its best; check dates | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct |
| Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre | Devachan campus, Choglamsar | Not at its best; check dates | Jun–Sep |
| Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort | Parwanoo | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov |
| Om Yoga Ashram | Near Dal Lake, McLeod Ganj | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Osho Nisarga | Shilla village, near Dharamshala | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov |
| Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora | Almora | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Sadhana Kendra Ashram | Domet village, near Vikasnagar, Dehradun district | Good in winter | Oct–Mar |
| Shakti Kumaon (Prana Lodge & village walks) | Almora and Bageshwar hills, Kumaon | Good in winter | Oct–Apr |
| Sivananda Kutir (Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre) | Uttarkashi | Closes or pauses for winter | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct |
| Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Van Niwas | Ayarpata hill, Nainital | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Thosamling Nunnery, Institute & Retreat Center | Sidhpur, near Norbulingka | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Tushita Meditation Centre | Dharamkot, McLeod Ganj | Closes or pauses for winter | Mar–May, Oct–Nov |
| Vivekananda Ashrama, Shyamla Tal | Shyamla Tal, near Sukhidhang | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
| Z Meditation Centre | Kandi village, Khanyara | Not at its best; check dates | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov |
Of these, 3 are at their best in winter: Dhamma Aruna – Arunachal Vipassana Meditation Centre, Sadhana Kendra Ashram and Shakti Kumaon (Prana Lodge & village walks). For the rest, spring and autumn are the time to go.
Rishikesh and the foothills: the winter choice
For most people, the best winter retreat in the Himalayas is in the foothills. 19 of the 24 retreats we list in and around Rishikesh are at their best in winter. Days are often sunny and around 20°C, the Ganga is clear, and the summer and pilgrimage crowds are gone. Nights are cold, and many rooms have no heating, so pack warm.
- Ashrams keep their full routine all winter: see ashrams in Rishikesh.
- Yoga schools run courses through the season: see yoga retreats in Rishikesh.
- Ayurveda and naturopathy centres near Dehradun and Haridwar are at their most comfortable: see Ayurveda in Uttarakhand.
- Christmas and New Year are busy, and the yoga festival season begins in early March. Book ahead for both.
See every listing in retreats in and around Rishikesh.
The higher hills in winter
Above about 1,500 metres, winter changes things. Around Dharamshala, Bir and Kumaon, expect frosty nights, snow on some days and short daylight. Meditation halls are often unheated, and some centres ask you to bring a sleeping bag. Programme calendars thin out, and a few centres close for six to ten weeks.
Ladakh is a different world: the road routes in close for months, and centres there plan for May to October. If you love snow and solitude, a winter stay in Himachal or Kumaon can be beautiful, but choose a place that says it is open, has heating, and is easy to reach.
Getting there in winter
- Fog on the plains. From late December to January, dense fog around Delhi and across the north delays trains and flights, often by hours. Build in a spare day and avoid tight connections.
- Short days. It's dark by about 5:30 pm in the hills. Plan to arrive in daylight.
- Ice and snow on hill roads. Roads above the foothills can be closed or icy after snowfall. Use a local driver who knows them.
- Weather warnings. Check the India Meteorological Department's forecasts for cold waves, fog and snowfall before you set off.
Staying warm
- Thermals, a fleece and a down jacket; a woollen cap, gloves and thick socks.
- A hot water bottle and a warm shawl for early-morning sittings.
- Moisturiser and lip balm: winter air in the hills is very dry.
- A sleeping bag if the centre asks for one, and slippers for cold floors.
Our packing guide has the full winter list.
Himalayan retreats that suit winter
Chosen from our listings by what this guide covers: 6 of 22. Nobody pays to appear here.
YogaTapovan, Uttarakhand
Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Dec
Starts from
From ₹2,600 / night
- Illustrative photoYoga
Dhyan Mandir Ashram, Uttarakhand
Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Dec
Starts from
From ₹12,500 for 3 nights
Spiritual
Yoga- Illustrative photoAyurveda
Jolly Grant, Uttarakhand
Best Oct–Mar
Typically
Typically ₹3k–10k / night
- Illustrative photoMeditation
Mudoi village, Arunachal Pradesh
Best Oct–Mar
Free
Common questions
Is Rishikesh too cold in January?
Not for most people. Days are usually sunny and mild, though mornings are misty and nights cold. Pack warm layers, because many ashram rooms aren't heated.
Do Himalayan Vipassana centres run courses in winter?
Centres in the foothills generally do. Higher centres have fewer winter courses, and some none. Check each centre's schedule on dhamma.org, and read your first Vipassana course.
Are retreats busy over Christmas and New Year?
In Rishikesh and the popular hill towns, yes, and prices rise. For quieter options, see our guide to a quiet New Year.
When do the higher Himalayan retreats reopen?
Most reopen between mid-February and April. The best months for the higher hills we list run Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov for most of them.
Ask people who've been
Real answers from the community, not the retreats' marketing.
Planning & getting there forumBrowse next
Sources
- Weather and when to visit (opens in a new tab) · Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamkot
- Weather forecasts, fog and cold-wave warnings (opens in a new tab) · India Meteorological Department
- Yoga Vacation dates (opens in a new tab) · Sivananda Kutir, Uttarkashi
- Guest house at Mayavati (opens in a new tab) · Advaita Ashrama
We wrote this guide in our own words from the sources above and our research on each retreat's official site. Nothing here is medical advice: talk to your own doctor about your health. Retreats change their rules, dates and prices, so confirm with them before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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