12th April 2025 to 20th April 2025
Meditation and Hiking Retreat in the Indian Himalayas
For centuries, the Himalayas have been the abode of the sages, monks, mystics, artists and hermits inspiring them with deeper explorations into truth and wisdom. Himalayas have also influenced hikers with the thrill of adventure scaling summits at high altitudes. Unplugged Trails is a perfect blend of reflective introspection, meditation and gentle hiking at high altitude.
The towering peaks, the breath taking landscapes, the vastness of the valley offers you moments to move into the unchanging. The sound of rushing waterfalls and the whispers of the cool wind through ancient trees creates a symphony that resonates within, urging one to connect with the inner self.
This time we meet at a small town village in Kullu Valley, surrounded by sacred energies emanating from centuries old temples. We will live at a comfortable and cozy hotel next to the Kings Castle which was built in traditional kathkuni technique. Adi Sharma the owner of the hotel and his family have been hosting retreats since the last decade, their warmth and hospitality bring ease, comfort and the pleasant and friendly staff makes you feel at home.
During the retreat …
The first few days will be spent acclimatising with gentle day hikes, hiking through sacred deodar forests, meditating under towering mother conifers, forest bathing, journaling etc. We also get a chance to explore the last of the few remaining Mountain villages which are a visual treat as we walk through old wooden and slate houses. The highlight of this retreat is camping at the high altitude Chandrakhani Meadow at 3500mtrs (approx 12000ft).
A special arrangement this time there is a possibility to choose between 2 modules, Easy day hikes for 5days and challenging module with high altitude hiking and camping for 8days. More information in retreat details below.
Not a typical Himalayan adventure but…
Stepping beyond the victory of the heights achieved or the thrill of adventure, this is no ordinary retreat, it is a quest into a deeper self enquiry. It is not meant for those who are looking for a brief tour in the mountains for a couple of insta worthy selfies and pictures but for those seeking an offbeat experience which will initiate them into looking at life beyond their conditioned perspectives and ideas. These are uniquely designed immersive retreats which we offer once a year or twice a year, we DO NOT conduct tours in the Himalayas. Know more about our concept on
Facilitator and activities
Dr. Rina Dedhiya has been facilitating such kind of retreats in the Himalayas since 2018. Through her travels hiking and meeting her Guru in the Himalayas she has witnessed a deep inner transformation, this has inspired her to begin Unplugged Trails. The participants have had enriching and authentic experiences through the retreat. It is ideal for solo travellers or a group of like minded individuals. Through activities like meditation, chanting, kirtan, journaling, forest bathing, hiking, camping, fire side talks, haavan, silent walks etc. the monkey mind is unplugged from its habitual thinking and opens up to an expansive consciousness.
Retreat Details
Hiking Difficulty Level – Easy to Moderate (it is essential to practise and get ready for the mountain paths 2-3 months before retreat)
Age Group – 20years and above (Kindly note there is no medical emergency service available, it is mandatory to submit a fitness certificate for those above 50yrs, the retreat will involve 5-6 hours of walking and hiking and 2-3 hours of sitting)
Group Size – 10
Registrations begin December 2024
It is mandatory to attend 3 online orientation sessions for you to be able to attend the retreat. The sessions details will be shared on registration. On Zoom between 9pm to 10 pm IST. During the orientation sessions we will discuss detailed itinerary, exercise schedule, packing list, introduction to meditation and few ground rules for the retreat. Orientation sessions will be announced well in advance so you can block dates and avoid missing them
Energy Exchange
- Paid all in one sum (no instalments)
- 1. Easy level – 12th to 17th April – Those looking for a 5day retreat, with Day hikes. Registration Charges – Rs.36000/- (double occupancy), Rs.42000/- (single occupancy) To be paid upto 20th March 2025.
- Check in – 12th April afternoon and Checkout 17th April post breakfast.
- 2. Challenging Level – 12th – 20th April – 8day full retreat with day hikes and camping at high altitude. Charges paid in one sum upto 15th March 2025 – Rs.42,300/- (double occupancy). After 15th March 2025 Rs.45000/-. SINGLE OCCUPANCY Rs.49,860/- if booked till 20th March 2025.
DISCOUNT – 7% discount for returning customers and also for group booking of two participants together. 10% discount for group booking of 4 participants together.
Above charges include a non-refundable fee of Rs.12000/- to secure your spot.
How to pay?
ABOVE AMOUNT IS TO BE PAID IN ONE SUM before the mentioned dates. Bank details or UPI id will be shared with you.
If you would like to pay in instalments you can get in touch with Rina personally.
Retreat costs include – Training sessions, hiking guides, Facilitation charges for daily guided meditation and dialogue sessions. Guidelines for packing/hiking gear. Accommodation on all days. Vegetarian meals, drinks and beverages on all days from Lunch on 12th April 2025 to Breakfast on 20th April 2025. Journal and writing material. Tents, Sleeping bag, guides and kitchen assistance during camping. We help with arranging transport to and from the destination (Actual cost of travel will have to be paid).
Does not include – Personal equipment. Accommodation/ travel / food etc before arriving in village homestay and after the departing from retreat destination. Personal porter charges, if you can’t carry your own bags then we can provide you with porters at an extra fee. Transport cost, accommodation and food cost before 12th April and After 20th April.
How to travel to the destination?
1. Cheapest option – Travel to Delhi and from Delhi by overnight Bus to Manali. We will give you details of the stop and where to get down.
2. Recently discovered budget option – travelling to Amritsar from your city in a night or early morning flight and fly from Amritsar to Kullu (Bhuntar Airport) early morning on 1st day of retreat, flight charges are around 3000 to 4000 rupees per person. We provide Airport Transfers, Bhuntar Airport to destination is a 1.5hours scenic drive which can also be shared with other retreat participants. Taxi cost from Airport to Destination is Rs.2000 to 2500.
3. Travelling from Chandigarh. You need to reach Chandigarh by your preferred mode of travel, bus, train, flight a day prior. You can take an overnight bus from Chandigarh to Manali. The travel to the valley will take 6-8hours.
4. Expensive option – Travel to Delhi and take an early morning Delhi to Kullu flight.
Return – During the return journey also the group leaves around noon on the last day of the retreat. The charges incurred during this travel will be extra.
Unplugged Trails provides facility to organise the travel for the group if required. (subject to change depending on what each person in the group prefers) KINDLY NOTE THE RETREAT CHARGES DO NOT INCLUDE THE TRAVEL CHARGES AIR/BUS/CAR.
Cancellation Policy – Apart from the non-refundable deposit, full amount will be refunded upto 15 days before the retreat. After that no refund is possible.
Full refund (including deposit) will be provided in case of cancellation from our side due to legal Corona restrictions or any other reason. Please know you will have to follow travelling guidelines whatever is applicable at that time.
Things you should keep in mind during the retreat
If you have a major health concern it is best to ask permission from your physician before travelling. Participants maybe asked to present a medical certificate.
Since major part of our day (between 10am to 5pm) will be spent outdoors, we will have packed lunch on few days. We request you to kindly bring tiffin boxes to carry your own packed lunch. At Unplugged Trails we make special efforts to travel consciously, avoiding plastic and be conscious of littering, spitting around etc. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO LEAVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS, FORESTS, HOTEL ROOM, CAR YOU TRAVEL IN, TENTS clean. Tobacco chewing, smoking, drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited during the retreat.
We all are unique beings, we have our individual preferences and sensitivities, everyone is requested to provide a non-judgmental space to fellow participants. Giving each other space and freedom will help you to develop deeper connections and make your journey smooth and insightful.
This retreat is not a Himachal tour or a holiday, if you are not interested in meditation, journaling, silence and discussions this retreat has very little to offer you. Being an experiential retreat, it is ideal for solo travellers as it provides ideal space to work on yourself and take a break from your hectic life. We prefer to make minimum use of technology, there is a possibility for digital detox.
The practises and activities during this retreat can be used to built a routine self care regime. These have found to be of immense benefits for all Unplugged participants.
You can access free activities facilitated by Unplugged trails on their Instagram, Facebook and Youtube handle. We have 21day meditations, 7days Journaling, 21 days reading sessions which can help you to get used to the concept of Unplugged Trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much Hiking experience do I need to join this retreat? No you do not need any hiking experience to join this retreat. However preparing your body before the retreat is a must so that you can really enjoy the whole experience fully. For the high altitude camping, if the facilitator finds that you are not fit, then you will be requested to stay back at the hotel for your own benefit.
- How much meditation experience do I need? You do not need any experience in meditation but just an open curiosity and willingness to meditate.
- Is it safe for solo women travellers? – Yes it is absolutely safe for women solo travellers
- Can you provide itinerary and packing list? – Detailed day wise itinerary and packing list will be provided by 10th of March for registered participants
- Do you provide travel tickets/bookings? No travel ticket bookings of any kind are not provided by us. Kindly book refundable flight tickets to prevent losses in case of cancellations.
- Can children travel? Anyone above age of 20yrs with an interest in meditation, journaling, drawing, walking, sitting still can join the hike
- Do you provide student discounts? Yes on special request we do
- Should I carry extra food? Yes you can carry snacks, dry fruits extra food as you like for munching in between meals. Note – there are many cafes around where you can enjoy good coffee and cake and meals apart from the food provided at the retreat. There is also a good dryfruit shop on the main road. The main market and ATMs are 10mins downhill from out hotel.
- Will the hotel provide toiletries, hair dryer, laundry service? Yes. Laundry service is charged extra and room cleaning is done every alternate day. You may request the staff to change bedsheets and towels every alternate day.
- Is there a shopping day during the retreat? Yes one of the days we may have time to go to Manali and shop if the whole group demands that. There are souvenir shops near the hotel.
- Will there be free time during the retreat? Yes
- Will there be a possibility to work remotely during the retreat? No this is an immersive experience and we do not encourage working during this period. It is best to inform everyone at work and home about your personal break well in advance.
- Is Jain food available during the retreat? No jain food is not available. Non-vegetarian food is not a part of the retreat, since we are trying to introduce you to a stavic lifestyle.
Unplugged Trails 