My friend and I are flying to Delhi for three weeks in the summer and we want to spend a week in the foothills of north India at a yoga and meditation centre. We are not looking for anything too grand or expensive, but somewhere peaceful and beautiful to relax, do some walking, as well as yoga and meditation. We would like to travel by train from Delhi if possible. Have you any suggestions? Julie Bloomfield, by email

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: The deeply folded valleys of India’s Himalayan foothills are the perfect part of the country in which to relax and do a spot of yoga and meditation.

The area has long been infused with spiritual retreats and pilgrimage sites, as it is the birthplace of many of India’s great rivers, including the Holy Ganges.

If you want to get away from it all, Basunti is the place for you. It’s a wonderfully intimate set up, with six comfortable rooms.

You’ll spend your days walking along, swimming in, rowing on, and fishing by the peaceful lake that surrounds it on three sides. There’s a magnificently set yoga pavilion too. The area teams with birdlife and the nearest village, Khatiyar, is a 30-minute walk away.

It’s run with a keen eye on nature and the environment - most of the vegetables used in preparing the delicious meals are from the garden for example. Audley (01993 838 000, www.audleytravel.com) has a week here from £1,250pp, with flights from Heathrow to Delhi, train to Amritsar (five and a half hours, and one night here in either direction), then road transfers and five nights with all meals.

Or if you prefer to experience the thick of Indian life, there’s the Haveli Hari Ganga in Haridwar, on the banks of the River Ganges. This 20-room property is in the heart of the town, with its own Ghat (or opening onto the river bank), an Ayurvedic Spa, and meditation areas.

Haridwar is an ancient holy city, perfect for marvelling at the ebb and flow of the passing pilgrims. TransIndus (020 8566 2729) can arrange seven nights here from £755pp, with flights from Heathrow to Delhi, train travel to Haridwar (five and a half hours), B&B accommodation, and private transfers.

Other tour operators that can tailor make trips to Himalayan retreats - with or without international flights – include Pettitts (01892 515 966, www.pettitts.co.uk), Essential India (01225 868544, www.essential-india.co.uk) or Coromandel (01572 821330, www.coromandelabt.com).

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