Lotus Journey Ladakh Retreat
Lotus Journey Ladakh Retreat
Ladakh, India
Up to 12 in group
Jun 14 - 21, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- • Meditation practice in ancient Ladakhi monasteries
- • Teachings and dialogue with a Geshe (Buddhist scholar)
- • Journey across the world’s highest motorable pass into Nubra Valley
- • Daily guided meditation and contemplative practices
- • Embodied movement sessions including Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga
- • Breathwork practices for grounding and awareness
- • Therapeutic Thai Yoga Massage sessions for deep relaxation and body integration
- • Quiet space for silence, journaling, and personal reflection
- • Experience and enjoy traditional Ladakhi cuisine
- • Time to rest, connect with nature, and simply be in the Himalayan landscape
About this Retreat
Gillian is a somatic practitioner and mindfulness teacher dedicated to helping people reconnect with their bodies and cultivate grounded presence. Trained in Hakomi somatic psychotherapy and certified in multiple yoga and breathwork traditions, she facilitates 1:1 sessions, workshops, and retreats that support nervous system awareness and embodied healing.
She has guided workshops and retreats internationally and currently leads mindfulness programming at Manawa Tamu in Spain. Through meditation, breathwork, and somatic practices, Gillian supports people in moving from mental overwhelm toward deeper presence, resilience, and self-connection.
Grey is a practitioner and teacher with over 24 years of experience in martial arts, bodywork, and contemplative practice. His background includes training in Chinese, Thai, and Filipino martial arts, along with years of study in internal arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong.
He teaches Thai Yoga Massage across India and Southeast Asia, focusing on mindful touch, structural awareness, and embodied practice. Grey also facilitates movement and somatic exploration through practices such as contact improvisation.
His work is deeply informed by years of meditation practice, including Vipassana and Buddhist study, bringing together body awareness, contemplative inquiry, and practical methods for developing presence and resilience.
Details of this retreat
Lotus Journey Ladakh – 8 Day Himalayan Retreat
Lotus Journey Ladakh is an immersive 8-day retreat held in the vast landscapes of Ladakh in the Indian Trans-Himalaya, a region often called “Little Tibet” for its deep Buddhist heritage and ancient trade routes. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, monasteries, and open skies, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from daily life and reconnect with body, mind, and presence.
This retreat weaves contemplative practice with cultural immersion. Participants will sit in meditation halls of ancient monasteries, receive teachings from a Geshe (senior Buddhist scholar monk), and journey across the world’s highest motorable pass into Nubra Valley.
Days unfold with guided meditation, embodied movement practices such as Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga, breathwork, and therapeutic Thai Yoga Massage. There is also spacious time for silence, journaling, reflection, and experiencing traditional Ladakhi cuisine, balanced with time to simply rest and absorb the powerful Himalayan environment.
Participants will stay in a traditional Ladakhi boutique homestay, built with local architecture and natural materials, offering a peaceful and authentic mountain setting. The retreat includes comfortable accommodation, nourishing vegetarian meals, and all local transportation, including group airport pick-up and drop-off from Leh Airport.
The retreat is facilitated by Grey (India) and Gillian (USA), who guide the practices throughout the week, together with teachings from a respected Buddhist Geshe.
Lotus Journey Ladakh is an immersive 8-day retreat held in the vast landscapes of Ladakh in the Indian Trans-Himalaya, a region often called “Little Tibet” for its deep Buddhist heritage and ancient trade routes. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, monasteries, and open skies, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from daily life and reconnect with body, mind, and presence.
This retreat weaves contemplative practice with cultural immersion. Participants will sit in meditation halls of ancient monasteries, receive teachings from a Geshe (senior Buddhist scholar monk), and journey across the world’s highest motorable pass into Nubra Valley.
Days unfold with guided meditation, embodied movement practices such as Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga, breathwork, and therapeutic Thai Yoga Massage. There is also spacious time for silence, journaling, reflection, and experiencing traditional Ladakhi cuisine, balanced with time to simply rest and absorb the powerful Himalayan environment.
Participants will stay in a traditional Ladakhi boutique homestay, built with local architecture and natural materials, offering a peaceful and authentic mountain setting. The retreat includes comfortable accommodation, nourishing vegetarian meals, and all local transportation, including group airport pick-up and drop-off from Leh Airport.
The retreat is facilitated by Grey (India) and Gillian (USA), who guide the practices throughout the week, together with teachings from a respected Buddhist Geshe.
Schedule
• Dawn – Morning silence and seated meditation as the mountains awaken. Optional gentle stretching or walking meditation in the garden.
• Morning – Embodied movement practices such as restorative yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, or somatic bodywork, cultivating awareness through breath and sensation. Suitable for all levels.
• Midday – Nourishing Ladakhi vegetarian meals prepared with care, using organic ingredients whenever possible. Time for journaling, quiet reflection, rest in the sun, or peaceful walks.
• Afternoon – Cultural and nature immersions including visits to ancient monasteries, walks through apricot orchards, village encounters, or contemplative solo time in the mountains.
• Evening – Contemplative teachings, sharing circles, yoga, breathwork, or gratitude rituals. A time to gather, reflect, and close the day with intention.
• Night – Deep rest under the vast Ladakhi sky, with silence, stars, and the stillness of the mountains.
• Morning – Embodied movement practices such as restorative yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, or somatic bodywork, cultivating awareness through breath and sensation. Suitable for all levels.
• Midday – Nourishing Ladakhi vegetarian meals prepared with care, using organic ingredients whenever possible. Time for journaling, quiet reflection, rest in the sun, or peaceful walks.
• Afternoon – Cultural and nature immersions including visits to ancient monasteries, walks through apricot orchards, village encounters, or contemplative solo time in the mountains.
• Evening – Contemplative teachings, sharing circles, yoga, breathwork, or gratitude rituals. A time to gather, reflect, and close the day with intention.
• Night – Deep rest under the vast Ladakhi sky, with silence, stars, and the stillness of the mountains.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Lotus beings , Ladakh, India
Directions
The nearest international airport is Delhi (DEL). From Delhi, guests can take a direct domestic flight to Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), which takes about 1.5 hours. Our retreat center is located approximately 15 minutes from Leh airport. We provide airport pick-up and drop-off for all participants to ensure a smooth and comfortable arrival.
Accommodation
Guests will stay in a traditional Ladakhi boutique homestay in a quiet area of Leh, surrounded by mountain views and garden spaces. The accommodation offers private and shared rooms with attached washrooms, blending simple Ladakhi architecture with comfortable living. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi, a small library, garden areas, and a dedicated yoga and meditation space (yoga shala) for daily practice. All meals are freshly prepared in-house, offering nourishing seasonal Ladakhi and Indian vegetarian cuisine made with local ingredients whenever possible.
Program Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
• Peaceful boutique homestay in Leh, surrounded by Himalayan mountain views
• Traditional Ladakhi mud-brick architecture with warm wooden interiors
• 7 private rooms with attached bathrooms for comfortable retreat stays
• Quiet garden spaces ideal for meditation, yoga, and group practice
• Dedicated yoga and meditation area, plus a small private temple for silent reflection
• Fresh home-cooked meals prepared with ingredients from local farms and the garden
• Relaxing outdoor areas with fireplace
• Traditional Ladakhi mud-brick architecture with warm wooden interiors
• 7 private rooms with attached bathrooms for comfortable retreat stays
• Quiet garden spaces ideal for meditation, yoga, and group practice
• Dedicated yoga and meditation area, plus a small private temple for silent reflection
• Fresh home-cooked meals prepared with ingredients from local farms and the garden
• Relaxing outdoor areas with fireplace
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Fresh Ladakhi and Indian meals prepared with seasonal ingredients from local farms and gardens. Our kitchen serves healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes and can accommodate gluten-free, lactose-free, an
What's Included
- ✓ 8 days / 7 nights accommodation
- • 5 nights in Leh
- • 2 nights in Nubra Valley
- ✓ All meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner + herbal teas throughout the day
- ✓ One private therapeutic Thai massage session with Grey or Gillian
- ✓ One group teaching + Q&A with a Geshe (Tibetan Buddhist scholar monk)
- ✓ All retreat sessions, practices, and teachings
- Meditation • Buddhist psychology • Somatic work • Internal martial arts • Breathwork
- ✓ Excursions to monasteries and sacred sites
- ✓ Transportation throughout the retreat
- Leh ↔️ Nubra Valley • all group excursions • monastery visits
- ✓ Group airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- ✓ Meditation + movement props (cushions, mats, bolsters, blankets)
- ✓ Retreat Welcome Guide (digital)
- Packing list, altitude preparation, what to expect, and how to arrive grounded
- ✓ Pre-Retreat Group Call
- Meet facilitators, align expectations, and prepare the nervous system
- ✓ Integration Workbook
- Daily reflection prompts + post-retreat integration support
- ✓ Retreat Photo Collection
- Curated, high-quality photos shared with participants
- ✓ Post-Retreat Support
- • Follow-up Zoom session
- • 45-minute recorded movement practice
- • 15-minute guided somatic grounding audio
- • Access to the Lotus Beings WhatsApp community
What's Not Included
- ✗ Flights to/from Leh
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗ Personal expenses (snacks, souvenirs, shopping, etc.)
- ✗ Extra bodywork sessions beyond the one included
- ✗ Private airport transfers outside group pickup times
- ✗ Additional accommodation before/after the retreat dates
- ✗ Early departure transportation
- ✗ Medical costs related to altitude or health issues
- ✗ SIM cards, phone costs, or personal connectivity services
- ✗ Private excursions outside the retreat schedule
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