ALAYATRA | A 12 DAY DEVOTIONAL RETREAT JOURNEY THROUGH NORTH INDIA
With MISCHA VARMUZA & LUCY HILL | 19th - 30th March 2026
Alayatra is a twelve-day, women's spiritual retreat journey, through North India, guided by Navratri and the wisdom of the Divine Feminine.
It is a love letter to India.
We invite you, from our hearts, to a pilgrimage. A prayer in motion.
A lovingly curated, devotional, journey through the heart of India.
Guided by Navratri, the nine nights of the Goddess, this is a celebration, a prayer, and an homage:
To the divine feminine in all her forms.
To beloved Mama India.
And to life itself.
A LOVE LETTER TO INDIA
Ālaya means a temple, a sanctuary, a place of deep refuge. A dwelling of the divine - and a return to our own inner home.
Yātra is a sacred journey through the outer world that mirrors the one within.
THE JOURNEY
Over 12 days, we’ll weave our way from the vibrant pink city of Jaipur, to the desert lake haven of Pushkar, and finally retreat into the lush Himalayan foothills of Rishikesh. Here we will stay in two private Ganga-view villas, nestled beside the holy, magnificent river.
Expect colourful bazaars, ancient temples, golden light, heart-stirring music, potent ritual, and poetic storytelling. Alongside incredible food and daily yogic and tantric practices, this is an immersion into the high-contrast, heart-awakening energy, that is India.
Experience a true feast for the senses: incense and chai in the morning air, honking rickshaws and temple bells, silks and spices, calm and chaos - all set against desert, sacred lake, and mountain.
Every step of this journey has been crafted with care and reverence - to honour India, her mysticism, her beauty, and the deeply magical lands she holds.
With over 40 years of combined experience living and working in this incredible country, Lucy and Mischa are honoured to guide and hold you through this once-in-a-lifetime, culturally rich, beautiful and transformative experience.
WHO THIS RETREAT IS FOR
This journey is open to those drawn to depth, adventure, beauty, and meaning.
You are warmly invited if you feel ready to:
• Travel consciously and reverently
• Immerse in India’s culture, colour, and chaos
• Explore the Navratri story, within and around you
• Honour beauty, ritual, and the sacred feminine
• Reconnect with your own, innate joy - and life's magic
YOUR GUIDES | LUCY HILL
Lucy Hill is the founder of Chaya Yoga Retreats, established in 2011 with a clear vision: to offer beautiful transformative experiences rooted in ancient traditions, travel and conscious living. Over the past 15 years, she has immersed herself in a wide range of practices within the worlds of holistic healing and wellbeing.
Now based in Ibiza, Lucy draws these threads into soulful, grounded offerings, that meet each person exactly where they are - emotionally, physically, and energetically. She creates inspiring, alchemical spaces, that are both nurturing and joyous; gently guiding people back to a place of self-trust, coherence, and embodiment.
Having lived and worked in India for much of the past 20 years, Lucy feels deeply honoured to share this journey through a land that has profoundly shaped her path. A place for her of healing, inspiration - and truly - one of the great loves of her life.
YOUR GUIDES | MISCHA VARMUZA
Yoga has been a part of Mischa’s life for almost 20 years - a path of devotion, discovery, and continual return. For over a decade, she has guided transformational retreats across UK, India and beyond, weaving the wisdom of yoga, traditional Tantra, and transpersonal coaching into immersive, soulful experiences.
Trained extensively in India and the UK, and initiated into a traditional Tantric lineage, Mischa offers over 13 years of experience in holding space that is both grounded and expansive. Her approach integrates her extensive study and practice of yoga, embodied philosophy, sacred ritual, mantra, and personal inquiry and much more - creating containers where true transformation can unfold.
Known for her sensitivity, strength, and presence, she invites each participant into a journey of remembrance - of wholeness, connection, and sacred aliveness.
Mischa's Website
Mischa's Instagram
DATES & FLOW
19th March - Arrive into Jaipur - Niravi
Arrive at Niravi, our tranquil boutique base nestled in the pink city’s quieter lanes.19th - 22nd March - Jaipur
Explore sacred temples, vibrant bazaars, and the golden glow of Rajasthan.22nd - 24th March - Pushkar
Travel to one of India’s most mystical towns - experience the sacred lake, ancient temples, and desert magic, staying in a pretty boutique farm-to-table guesthouse.24th - 25th March - Neemrana Heritage Fort Hotel
Stay in the incredible heritage fort of Neemrana, over 500 years iold25th - 26th March
Journey to Rishikesh, with stops at sacred sites along the way26th–30th March - The Foresterie, Rishikesh
Our peaceful riverside sanctuary in the Himalayan foothills. Integration and deep rest by the sacred Ganga.
This entire journey is held within the rhythm of Navratri - the nine nights of the Goddess - weaving devotion, myth, and magic through every day.
NAVRATRI
Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', is one of India’s most sacred and widely celebrated festivals, devoted to the Goddess in her many forms. Each day honours a different aspect of the divine feminine - from fierce protectress to compassionate mother - symbolising a powerful inner journey of transformation, renewal, and remembrance.
Rooted in ancient mythology and rich with ritual, it is a time when devotion really comes alive in temples, homes, and hearts across the country. Aligned with this sacred festival, our retreat will gently honour the energy of each day, through our practices, inviting deeper connection to the Goddess within and around us.
OUR INTENTION
Our intention for this journey is to walk beside you every step of the way; to share our beloved India, in the way we’ve been so privileged to know her.
Every aspect of this experience has been lovingly curated to ensure you feel held and cared for throughout the entire trip. From your arrival transfer to your final chai, each detail has been considered.
All you need to bring, is an open heart and an adventurous spirit!
WANT TO COME ALONE?
If you're new to solo travelling, how very wonderful.
Using our many years of Indian travel experience, we at Chaya dearly love to look after our guests. We can help with all your travel needs and will do our best to ensure you have a most relaxing, joyful and magical time. You just need to book your flight and let us take care of everything else.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• 12-day / 11-night all-inclusive journey through Jaipur, Pushkar & Rishikesh
• Beautiful heritage stays and boutique guesthouses
• Cultural immersion - from palaces to markets and live music
• Daily yoga, movement & meditation practices
• Ritual, mantra, and storytelling inspired by Navratri
• All transfers, activities & workshops
• Full board: Abundant, satvic, vegetarian Indian meals
• 4-night riverside retreat in the Himalayan foothills
NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
Arrival transfers, flights and onward transfer from the retreat
OTHER ACTIVITIES, THERAPIES & TREATMENTS
There will be spaciousness in each day for you to explore independently, if you wish; we have many recommendations of local activities to suit all interests. Where we recommend rest and integration time - we also understand curiosity and wonder, as India is so special!
At some destinations there will be the opportunity to receive therapies or treatments, these will be at additional cost and dependent on availability. We will do our best to ensure you receive whatever you desire.
INVESTMENT
• Twin ensuite – £4,000
• Solo suite – £4,400
This is an all-inclusive rate, except for arrival and departure flights. All accommodation, activities, meals and travel within the journey, are included.
We are currently keeping this journey intimate, with a maxiumum group of only 12 guests. Each place is offered by application.
*A percentage of the retreat proceeds will be donated directly to a grassroots charity, supporting women and children in India.
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
We’re happy to assist with arranging flights and any other travel elements you may need. Wherever possible, and if you’d like, we’ll coordinate your journey to align with fellow guests so you can share part of the travel experience.
COMING TO INDIA
As long-haul travel can be a lot for the body, our strong recommendation is that you arrive to India a couple of days ahead of the retreat start, to ground and acclimatise. In our experience this means you really get the most out of the retreat itself. We can recommend many lovely accommodation options, suitable for all budgets. And for those looking for more adventure, we can support in designing an extension to your trip post-retreat. India has so much to offer!
VISAS
Tourist visas for one month are easily issued to European and UK citizens. Please contact us directly if you would like our recommended visa agency details.
If you’d like to set up a call with Lucy to discuss the retreat - and understand a little more about if it is right for you - please email info@chayayogaretreats.com or click the link below.
