THIS RETREAT IS SOLD OUT

Saturday 6th May 2023 - Wednesday 17th May 2023

Amid beautiful tropical gardens with orange, mango and papaya trees, Basunti is an idyllic private lakeside Retreat, set in the foot hills of The Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North India.

Basunti is surrounded by the waters of the Maharana Pratap Sagar and sits at the heart of a wildlife reserve making this the perfect location for returning to nature and our own true nature.

This is an opportunity to immerse yourself into your Yoga and Meditation practice, to completely relax whilst surrounded by wildlife, enjoying this unique location, the extraordinary views of the Himalayas and the beautifully fresh vegetarian and vegan food lovingly prepared daily by David Butterworth (a founding member of Neal’s Yard Bakery, Covent Garden).

Below is some more information that you may find useful.
If you have any questions or would like to book this experience with me, use the button below to send me a message.

WHEN

We meet 6th May for dinner in Amritsar. Transfers to our private retreat venue is at 9.30am 7th May arriving at Basunti for lunch. You will be staying here for 10 nights. We leave Basunti after breakfast on 17th May, transferring back to Amritsar airport.

The retreat cost includes:
10 nights in a shared twin or double bedded room at Basunti.
Four hours of guided practice each day (two Yoga Asana and two Meditation / Pranayama practices (with one day off in the middle).
Dinner in Amritsar on Saturday May 6th when we all first come together.
Transfer from Amritsar hotel on morning of 7th May to Basunti retreat centre.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout our stay at Basunti. Vegetarian / vegan meals with one evening the choice to feast on fresh locally caught fish
Afternoon tea
Day trip to Bathu Temples
Boat trip on the lake with a local fisherman
Return transfer from Basunti to Amritsar airport after breakfast on 17th May.

The retreat cost does not include:
Flights (See below for more details)
Hotel in Amritsar (This is because some people are travelling to India before the retreat for another adventure. Not everyone is meeting Amritsar and the number of nights for those who are, varies.
Treatments at Basunti. (These can be arranged either with Izzy at Basunti directly or through me). 

Saturday May 6th - Wednesday May 17th at Basunti
£1625 per person for a twin room

ASANA AND MEDITATION

Our days will open with Meditation and /or Pranayama followed by Yin Yang Asana practise, where we journey from stillness into movement through Taoist and Indian inspired sequences. 

Evening practises will emphasise the space for receptivity and reflection through Yin Yoga Asana, cultivating a suitable environment for and guiding us towards evening meditation.

After breakfast and through the early afternoon, you have space to read, walk, swim, canoe or sleep on one of the hammocks or sun-beds.

Throughout the week we will be exploring not only our bodies and ourselves, but various techniques and skills used to find more space and comfort in Meditation. These will include Mindfulness, Pranayama (breath control) and Mantra .

We arrive at Basunti on the 7th May for lunch. That afternoon we will orientate ourselves within this new space and practice together that evening. We have four days of retreat schedule, a day off with an optional trip out followed by another four days of retreat schedule. 

Once I have confirmed the retreat schedule, I will add this below. This will detail times of meditation, Asana, meals and afternoon tea with the free time including schedule for our day off. 

As always, the schedule is an invitation not an expectation so you will have the freedom to move at your own pace and within your own current space.

BASUNTI RETREAT CENTRE

The Main House is surrounded by its own open air, thatch-roofed veranda with panoramic views of the lake where you can eat or simply relax and enjoying the garden and its rich birdlife. There is also a sitting room with a small library.

The open air, thatched yoga shala has cool marble floors and sits in a lush tropical garden, surrounded poinsettias, flowering hibiscus and wild cactus all framing stunning views over the surrounding lake. The Balinese-dome ceiling and its lakeside proximity mean that even in the hottest parts of the day the shala remains wonderfully cool. The Shala is fully equipped with rubber and cotton mats, bolsters, meditation cushions, light blankets, wooden blocks and straps. If you have your own equipment, of course you are welcome to bring it.

There is a smaller meditation deck with exquisite rooftop views over the lake West of Basunti where we can take in the morning bird song filling the air.

The surrounding area, including the lake, is perfect for peaceful walks, wild swimming and canoeing (Basunti does have canoes for hire).

Enjoy Basunti’s secluded infinity pool situated amongst papaya trees and vivid bougainvillea flowers, with again, exquisite views over the lake. Pool towels are sun-beds are all provided.

Rest and restore with Emma in this 10 night retreat set in the foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India.

Set in the quietude of nature, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to connect with your mind, body and spirit, allowing the time and space to nurture what really matters to you and for your life. This is a precious opportunity to immerse yourself in the practise of Meditation married with Yin Yoga Asana, beautiful food, nature and ultimately within you.

The retreat price includes: ten nights accommodation; in Basunti with one night either side in Amritsar, morning and evening Yin or Yin Yang Yoga Asana and Meditation practises in the open thatched Yoga Shala, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day with afternoon tea, shared twin room and return transfers from Amritsar airport.

ACCOMMODATION AT BASUNTI

Accommodation comprises of 10 comfortable double or twin-bedded rooms, spread over two lodges and the Main House. Each room has its own en-suite bathroom and a private veranda or balcony with extensive views over the gardens or the surrounding area.

These simple rooms are cleaned daily, they are simple and in keeping with the ethos of Basunti. 

In consideration to the environment, Basunti does not have generators, televisions or air-conditioning units in the rooms which are all equipped with ceiling or wall fans instead.

FOOD

The kitchen is under the direction of David Butterworth, a co-founder of London’ Neals Yard bakery and restaurant, Covent Garden.

He produces a mouth-watering array of both European and local Indian vegetarian dishes, whole wheat breads and pastries, fresh juices from its fruit trees and the option of fish, caught by the local fishermen.

Meals are being freshly prepared with much of the fruit and vegetables that are grown organically in the garden and supplemented by produce bought in the local markets.

Our food will predominantly be Indian village vegetarian with a number of western dishes. Fresh bread and cakes are baked each day for afternoon tea and we will have one locally caught fish supper.

Meals are served buffet-style on the large, spacious verandahs or in the sitting room of the main house.

GETTING THERE

Amritsar, the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh religion and famous for its Golden Temple, provides the nearest international airport with daily flights from London via Doha or Delhi.

If like me, you would like to arrive earlier, you can take time to visit The Golden Temple, Ram Bagh Garden, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum or take a stroll through the nearby Rose Garden and Sakatri Bagh park.

The transfer to Basunti from Amritsar takes approximately three and a half hours by mini-bus. We leave Amritsar at 9.30am from the Ramada Hotel on Sunday May 7th arriving at Basunti for lunch.

You can book your flight with Joe Graham at The Flight Centre or call him: 0208 336 6464.
You can reference me.

On entering India, we are required to possess not only a valid passport but also a Visa.
You can organise that here: VISA

Please consult your doctor regarding vaccinations to ensure these are up to date.

As with any trip, it is worth considering purchasing travel and medical insurance before travel for your peace of mind.

MY FLIGHT DETAILS AND MY JOURNEY ONWARDS

If you would like to travel out with me, I am flying Thursday 4th May from London Heathrow with Qatar Airways, flight number: QR10, with a connecting flight in Doha on to Amritsar, flight number  QR 548, arriving 5th May at 2.05am.

I suggest booking a hotel for the 4th, 5th and 6th so you have a room to go in the early hours of the 5th to shower, rest and restore before exploring this wonderful city.
PLEASE NOTE THIS DETAIL ABOVE AND BOOK YOUR ROOM FROM THE 4TH SO YOU CAN CHECK IN AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL

After the retreat I will be travelling to Mcleod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamshala. This is home to a large Tibetan population and the residence the 14th Dalai Lama.

You are welcome to join me on this additional adventure. (many are..).. This is not retreat, it is friends extending their adventure together. I will be staying in Mcleod Ganji on 17th, 18th and 19th May. I will travel back to Amritsar airport late afternoon / early evening 20th May as I would need to be checking in at the airport just after midnight. I will be flying at 3.35am on 21st back to London Heathrow, flight number QR549 with a connection at Doha, flight number QR3, arriving lunchtime the same day (21st) at 1.15pm - LONDON HEATHROW.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FLIGHT HOME IS VERY EARLY ON THE MORNING OF 21ST MAY
WHICH ESSENTIALLY MEANS WE CHECK-IN AT THE AIRPORT ON THE EVENING OF 20TH MAY.

ACCOMMODATION IN AMRITSAR

Having spoken to many of you already, it seems most people would like to arrive earlier to settle into the time-zone or travel before the retreat. This means people will be arriving at different times and from various location and require a different number of nights in this city. Therefore, I have decided that it will be less complicated if you book a night in Amristar yourself when you book your flight with Joe.

There are many accommodation choices us in Amritsar.

The Ramada Hotel which £65 a night and you do have the option with this to have your own room or share it and half the cost. A bigger room (deluxe) is £80 and again you can share this. There is also a suite which is £100 a night.

I will be staying at The Ramada Hotel because it is right in the centre and close to The Golden Temple.. My booking is from and for the night of the 4th so I can go straight to my room on arrival at around 3am, the 5th and 6th May.

I have arranged dinner on Saturday 6th May where we will all come together for the first time as a group. Our transfer to Basunti will leave The Ramada Hotel at 9.30am on Sunday 7th May.

I have organised dinner for us at Hyatt Regency Amritsar Punjab Province restaurant at 7pm on Saturday 6th May. I can meet you there if you are out exploring the city. I plan to walk and take in the city. I will be leaving the hotel Ramada at 5.45pm.

This restaurant has a wonderful outdoor terrace, fires, staff and most importantly, food. You can order from the main menu which I have heard features a well known and much loved Thali selection or eat from the buffet which again has outstanding reviews and means you can try a bit of everything!

This is on me. You need nothing other than a hunger…

ACCOMMODATION IN MCLEOD GANJ

Having spoken to many of you coming on to extend your trip after the retreat, it seems most people would like to stay in the centre near the markets and temples rather than a more remote place. This makes sense as we have just been in a very remote location for 10 night. Also, we have just had a swimming pool for the retreat so for this extension I have chosen a hotel that caters for location over a cultural experience. The experience is all around us.

There are many accommodation choices us in McLeod Ganji.

I am staying at Norbu and some of the group are staying at The Quality Inn BHagsu. Good reviews, great views and pretty central. 

I have spoken to my hotel and they will help us hire a mini-bus to get us back to the airport in Amritsar. This is not a short journey. But, we will have time as we don’t have to be at the airport until midnight.

BEYOND ASANA

Friday 12th May is our day off and so I am planning an optional trip to the sunken temples of Bathu.
If the water level is good, we will travel by boat rather than road and the journey either way is around two hours. Some of you may prefer to stay at the centre, walk, relax and swim in the lake. This trip is optional.

This spectacular deserted complex of 8th Century Hindu temples was submerged by the lake waters in the 1970s. Each year as the lake levels recede the temples slowly emerge at the edge of the corn fields.

During your stay you can take a canoe trip to explore the stunning coves and inlets surrounding Basunti and see numbers of bird species and various native animals.

There are many walks around the local villages and of course, swimming in the pool or the many beautiful completely private places round the lake. 

SCHEDULE

This schedule is not finalised.…

6:30am – Morning tea

7 - 7.30am - Pranayama or Silent Meditation - in the Shala or on the roof top

7:30am – 9am - Yin Yoga Asana in the Yoga Shala

9:00am – Breakfast

10am-1pm – Free time to swim in the pool or lake, take a canoe out, walk the local villages, read or sleep in a hammock in the garden.

1pm – 2pm Lunch

2pm – 3.45pm Free time to rest, read or sleep in a hammock in the garden.

3:45pm – Afternoon Tea

4:30pm - 6.00pm – Yin Yoga Asana

6.00pm - 6.30pm Pranayama / meditation in The Yoga Shala

6.30pm / 7pm – Supper

10:00pm – Retire

COST

£1625 per person for a twin shared room.

• This includes return transfers from Amritsar airport.

• Ten days at our private retreat centre with breakfast , lunch and dinner each day.

• Morning and evening Yoga Asana practice each day (excluding our day off in the middle).

• Morning and evening Meditation or Pranayama practice.

• A trip to Bathu temples

• Boat trip on the lake with a local fisherman

• Supper on 6th May in Amritsar.

If you have any question, send me a message using the button below.
Emma x

RETREAT IS NOW FULL… I want to take you all on this journey … in time, i will. x

FAQ’s

Q: How many people are going on the retreat?
A: Minimum 16 and maximum 17 people plus me.

Q: What time is the transfer on the 17th May back to Amritsar?
A: After breakfast around 9.30am

Q: Is alcohol served in Basunti?
A: Usually I would not have alcohol on retreat but we are all adults. Basunti can serve beer and wine (for an additional cost), but no spirits are available. As we get closer, we can make a group decision on this but my feelings are we stay alcohol free for our time at the venue.

Q: Is the WIFI at Basunti?
A: Yes however, WIFI - yes and it operates in the main house, around the pool and in certain parts of the garden and the meditation deck. It has to be noted that due to our venue being fairly rurally situated, the WIFI is not the quickest and guests will be requested not to download/upload heavy files, movies, videos etc as this would prevent anyone else will be able to use it.

Q: Are there mosquito nets over the beds at Basunti?
A: There are no mosquito nets over the beds but there are nets over all the windows. Please note that Basunti is not in a Malaria area but prevention is always advisable, so you might want to bring repellents.

Q: Can I do washing at Basunti?
A: Reply from Izzy at Basunti below

Yes, we have a laundry service done by the village lady who comes here during the groups season and it is not prohibitive in terms of cost. You can, if you like, wash small items yourselves and hang them on the verandas attached to the rooms, we have no problem with that. 

It is hot in May, clothes will dry very quickly indeed.

If I have not covered everything above, please feel free to ask me questions. I can then add them to these as you may be helping someone else by asking. x