W25 Exclusive Private Retreat

in Ladakh’s Sacred

Himalayas, India

Meditation Enhances Special Program

January retreat Applications

now open

"Transform your senses, awaken your life: the monastery experience awaits."

This private retreat offers an intimate, personalized experience focused on growth. Participants engage with teachings at their own pace, guided individually by a respected monk. This exclusive setting fosters intensive study, self-discovery, and deep spiritual fulfillment in a serene, supportive environment.

Thiksey Monastery

A Sanctuary of Spiritual Heritage

Thiksey Monastery, located in the Ladakh region at an altitude of approximately 3,600 meters, is a 15th-century Gelugpa monastery. Known for its architecture inspired by the Potala Palace and its towering statue of Maitreya Buddha, Thiksey serves as a spiritual and cultural center where Buddhist ceremonies and meditation practices bring the teachings to life.

Key Figures

Geshe Jamyang Tashi

One of Ladakh’s most respected Buddhist monks, renowned for his compassion. Awarded the highest title of Geshe Lharampa from Sera Monastery, he provides invaluable direct guidance to visitors, offering a rare opportunity for deeper understanding and personal connection to the teachings.

testimonials

Taught by a genuine, passionate lama

- A one-on-one session gave me the privilege of sharing personal stories, asking questions without hesitation, and receiving his thoughtful, immediate responses.

Nestled in the heart of India, my stay near the ancient monastery revealed the profound intersection of sacred wisdom and daily life. Each dawn began with a climb to the monastery's rooftop, where I witnessed mystical sunrises over barren fields dotted with golden poplar trees below, followed by morning prayers that seemed to embrace the entire landscape.
I had the profound privilege of receiving teachings from Geshe-la (a respected Buddhist monk) at this monastery, which has stood since the mid-15th century. His teachings of Buddha's wisdom were filled with compassion – when praying, he taught me to pray for all sentient beings. This truth manifested when our host sister found healing through Tibetan medicine while extending her prayers to all who shared her condition. Even in farewell, this collective spirit prevailed: "Safe journey to you and all travelers," a monk blessed me on my departure.


What touched me most was seeing these teachings deeply rooted both within the monastery's hallowed halls and in the family's warm household, where centuries-old wisdom continues to quietly live on in modern daily life.

Features of the Retreat

This retreat is a tailored executive learning program designed to cultivate self-reflection and observational skills.

"The primary focus of study is to practice authentic meditation and explore advanced spiritual knowledge, including ethics, philosophy, compassion, and cosmology. During self-study periods, students engage in introspection through meditation."

Skill Level:

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Language:

English

Program:

Authentic Meditation and Buddhist Philosophy: A Practice of Wisdom and Compassion

This program combines the essence of wisdom and compassion, guiding participants through essential practices in meditation and Buddhist philosophy.

*The program is customized for each individual.

  • Fundamentals of Two Meditation Types: Basic postures and practice techniques

  • Meditation Practice: Learn, review, and apply meditation methods

  • Core Terms: Ignorance, samsara/suffering, karma

  • Buddhist Philosophy:

  • The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: The path to enlightenment

  • The Mind of Compassion: Ethics, cosmology, and philosophical perspectives

  • The Seven-Point Cause and Effect: Essentials for attaining enlightenment

  • Bodhicitta: The three types of awakened mind

  • Six Essential Factors for Becoming a Buddha

Daily Schedule

6:30 - Go to the monastery

7:00-8:30 - Morning puja participation + personal meditation

9:00-9:30- Breakfast

10:00-12:00 - Lecture by Geshe

-13:00 - Lunch at homestay/monastery

-14:00 - Lecture and feedback session with monks

-16:00 - Free time with host family, other guests, or for self-study

- 21:00 - Dinner

- 22:00- Go to bed

Reference: Video Video Title: Aerial view of Thiksey Monastery in winter - Leh, Ladakh, India

Tally Talwar, 31/03/2019

January retreat Applications now OPEN

December 20 TH, 2024 - Jan 30th, 2025

The retreat will not be held on the following dates due to festivities.

  • LADAKHI LOSAR: FROM 31ST DEC 2024 TO 3RD JAN 2025

After you register, we will provide you with personal support until your arrival, including information about the local weather, what to wear in warm weather, food options, and nearby activities outside of the retreat. We will treat you like a close friend.

If you’d like to attend a retreat outside of January, please use the form below to contact us. We will contact you again!

You can start at any time within the specified range. Please submit your application at least three weeks in advance.

BOOK RETREAT

  • 7 nights and 8 days stay

    Understanding Basic Buddhism Comcept and Meditation

    Price: $6500

    Day 1: Rest for acclimatization

    Day 2: Monastery retreat starts.

    To

    Day 7: Monastery retreat ends.

    Day 8: Check-out

    Book Retreat:

  • 14 nights and 15 days stay

    Deepen your understanding of Buddhist concepts and philosophies while strengthening your meditation practice

    Price: $8800

    Day 1: Rest for acclimatization

    Day 2: Monastery retreat starts.

    To

    Day 14: Monastery retreat ends.

    Day 15: Check-out

    Book Retreat:

  • 29 nights and 30 days stay

    Live alongside monks, delve into profound Buddhist philosophy, and deepen your meditation practice and mindfulness.

    Price: $11,000

    Day 1: Rest for acclimatization

    Day 2: Monastery retreat starts.

    To

    Day 29: Monastery retreat ends.

    Day 30: Check-out

    Coming soon

Accommodation

  • Stay Local Homestay Stay Local Homestay Nearby Monastery.

    It is within walking distance of the monastery and offers a homely atmosphere.

  • Homestay Features

    Accommodation is included in the program fee.

    Food Organic Veg Food（Contains milk products）

    Please let us know if you are vegan or strictly vegetarian.

    breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

    Chai

    Bathroom, Hot shower.

    Wifi

    Clean private room.

    Option： laundry service　（out-of-pocket）

    If you are vegan or pure vegetarian, please let us know in advance. We will do our best to prepare as much as possible.

    Vegan Friendly

    Porridge, Veg, Natts, Fruits, Veg Protein, Chai for vegan etc…

  • Homestay

    We offer several accommodation options. You will be staying in a homestay within walking distance of the monastery.

What's Included in This Package

  • Accommodation fees according to the length of the program.

  • 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals: Simple organic vegetarian food.

  • Water, tea, and coffee are served throughout the day.

  • Specialized program fees.

  • Daily meditation in the Monastery at any time.

  • Airport pick-up.

  • Local SIM Card( This area does not work with other area's SIM and e-sim)

  • We donate a portion of our fees to support the monastery and the monks' education.

What's Not Included in This Package

  • Flights costs

  • Visa fee

  • Travel Insurance

  • Additional Stay fees

  • Additional activities not included in the itinerary

 

location

Thiksey monastery ladakh INDIA

Book your flight to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Ladakh, India.

Destination: Leh Ladakh, INDIA

Flight: Delhi (T1) → Leh

Flights from Delhi to Leh are available only in the morning between 6:00 am and 10:30 am.

1. Arrival at Delhi International Airport (T3):Name: Indira Gandhi International Airport

2. A free shuttle bus will take you from Delhi International Airport to Delhi Domestic Airport.

3. Flight from Delhi to Leh

4. Arrival at Leh, our taxi will pick you up on arrival at Leh.

Ladakh Winter Weather (January - April)

  • January & February: Coldest, with temperatures from -5°C (day) to -25°C (night), and regular snowfall.

  • March: Warmer, 2°C to 5°C by day, -10°C at night. Snow begins to melt.

  • April: Spring brings 10°C to 12°C days; nights remain cold at -5°C. Snow recedes, improving access.

Warm clothing and heated stays are essential.

Electricity and outlets

The voltage in India is 220-240V. The plug shapes are B3, BF, B, and C types. We recommended C types.

Visa stuff

Required India VISA.

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

Please obtain your India visa at least one week before your arrival.

Responsible travel

When visiting Ladakh, it's crucial to be mindful of responsible tourism practices and show respect for the local culture. Here are some key points to consider:

Due to the high altitude, it’s necessary to take a day to rest upon arrival to allow your body to acclimatize.

This is a uniquely high-altitude area in the Himalayas, rich in culture and history. To help preserve its natural and historical beauty, a 5% Indian government conservation tax will be applied to each visit.

Certain locations require permits for access.

Additionally, you will need a region-specific SIM card for Ladakh.

Cancellation Policy:

- If the organizer cancels, a full refund will be issued.

- If the participant cancels, the following fees apply:

- At the time of booking: 7% fee

- 7 days or more before the start date: 93% refund

- 6~4 days before the retreat: 20% fee (80% refund)

- 3 days before the retreat: 30% fee (70% refund)

- 2 days or fewer before the retreat: 100% fee (no refund)

*Note: Date changes are allowed with a 5% rescheduling fee.*

Due to the exclusivity of this program, cancellations made 0-2 days before the retreat start date are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.

If you need to cancel, please contact us as early as possible. We will make every effort to resell your spot. The earlier you contact us, the higher the chance we can successfully resell it.

Weather

**IMPORTANT NOTICE:**

This retreat will be held in a remote location where road conditions are highly weather dependent and may be completely closed by police or military authorities. In such cases, we will promptly arrange alternative locations to allow the individual retreats to continue operating uninterrupted.

We will do our best, but we cannot guarantee sunny weather. There is plenty to do indoors during your free time, so we are well prepared to handle rain or snow.

Retreat terms and conditionsRetreat terms and conditions

Early Check-In - Late Check-Out

Please notify us in advance of any need to arrive early or leave late. We’ll look to accommodate your schedule as much as possible, just get in touch with us to discuss.

Allergies and dietary requirements

We require that you tell us in advance about any dietary issues / requirements / needs that you may have, in order to be able to cater for your needs. We will not be able to meet your requirements if you do not communicate it to us at the time of your booking or at least two weeks prior to the retreat start date. Thank you for your understanding.

Silence

These retreats are not usually silence retreats. Having said that, the retreat’s primary goal is to find calm and peace within, with the help of meditation’s wonderful tools and the surrounding nature. We’d like to ask for retreaters to respect each other’s space by making sure volume is kept down at all times. Please do indulge in conversations with everyone, but also allow those who primarily seek quiet, to enjoy their quiet time.

Please purchase appropriate travel insurance to protect your investment

IMPORTANT: We ask that you please do not travel if you have tested positive for Coronavirus or any other infectious illness. Please keep yourself, us, and our fellow participants safe by staying at home if this happens. Please take out travel insurance that offers appropriate coverage to avoid any financial difficulties for you, if this happens.

If ever in doubt, please check with info@rlung.world

Refunds cannot be made:

  1. If your transport (train/air etc.) is canceled

  2. No-shows, i.e. you don’t cancel and you don’t let us know that you won’t be attending, or if you cancel at such short notice that we are unable to re-sell your place

  3. Any illnesses —> please purchase appropriate travel insurance to protect your investment

We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if necessary. This will only occur in exceptional circumstances, such as when unforeseen events prevent us from providing the retreat as advertised, or in the event of force majeure. If this occurs, we will notify you as soon as we become aware of the cancellation and will refund all amounts paid for the retreat. Please note that we cannot be held liable for any costs incurred by you, such as travel expenses, business interruption or exchange rate losses.

Any Question? into@rlung.world

4. Guidance from Experienced Monks: Attendees will receive personalized guidance from experienced monks, who share their wisdom and insights, fostering a supportive learning environment.

5. Focus on Self-Reflection: The retreat emphasizes self-reflection and personal development, encouraging participants to cultivate compassion, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.

6. Breathtaking Scenery: Nestled in the Himalayas, the monastery provides stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for contemplation and connection with nature.

7. Cultural Exchange and Connection: Participants can engage with like-minded individuals, creating a vibrant community and shared sense of purpose through intercultural perspectives.

8. Time for Silence and Mastery: The retreat includes dedicated time for silence and deepening meditation practice, allowing for a profound inner journey.

These elements combine to create a transformative experience that nurtures both the mind and spirit.

This retreat takes place in a Buddhist monastery, but you don't have to be Buddhist to participate. It's designed as a spiritual study to encourage introspection and self-observation and to explore deeper teachings on Buddhist philosophy, ethics, compassion, cosmology, and more. It's perfect if you're a meditation practitioner.

1. Historic Location: This Monastery is a 15th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery, offering a serene and spiritually rich environment that enhances the retreat experience.

2. Integrated Teachings: The retreat uniquely blends traditional Buddhist teachings with principles of emotional intelligence, providing a holistic approach to personal and spiritual growth.

3. Daily Pujas and Meditation: Participants will engage in daily pujas and meditation practices, allowing for a deep immersion in Buddhist rituals and contemplative practices.

WHo Fit this Retreat?

Tell Us About Yourself.

You will be redirected to a Google form. This is not a confirmation of your retreat booking and can be completed by anyone. This form allows you to share your thoughts and interests regarding the retreat. Your feedback will be shared with the monks and carefully considered in the program's design.

Thank You!