KARVAAN RETREAT @ MUSKOTIA

17TH MAY 2020 (SUNDAY) TO 23RD MAY 2020 (SATURDAY)

@ KILBURY FOREST, MUSKOTIA, NAINITAL, UTTRAKHAND

INDIA

About Karvaan:

You may call it a holiday, a workshop, a retreat, or an adventure, but at the center of it, it is an unwinding focused to lead you on a journey of self-discovery to help you enable wholeness within yourselves. It is a holistic amalgamation of various healing techniques both time tested and contemporary. The program's aim is to bring harmony & health on all levels-body, mind & soul in a colorful, playful & practical way. Karvaan is an initiative by Healing Harmony

Karvaan is a residential program usually conducted for  5 days. This 5-day Karvaan journey is scheduled to be conducted in the serenity of Himalayas in May 2020 in collaboration with Muskotia @ Kilbury forest, Nainital, Uttarakhand.  We will listen to the natural rhythms of nature from the moment you rise until the moment it lullabies you to sleep which reminds us to find and follow our own gentle flow and gives us permission to relax and unwind. Using nature as a catalyst every detail of the retreat routine is thoughtfully and lovingly crafted so that you can experience a retreat filled with cherished memories that makes you truly A.L.I.V.E. Come join the bandwagon to move from fragments to whole!

The 5 elements to being A.L.I.V.E? Karvaan aims at working on these 5 elements within you!

A- Abundant, L-Loving, I-Inspiring, V-Vibrant, E-Enjoying

Activities during the retreat:

- Health Assessment

- Yoga

- Meditation

- Dance movement

- Forest Walks & Forest Bathing

- Zen Walks

- Music therapy

- Art therapy

- Power of 5 elements

- Detox Healthy Himalayan cuisine

- Emotional detox

- Night Meditations

- Understanding psychology of food & participating in cooking

- One-one session with health coach

& much more...

Dates: 17-23rd MAY 2020

Place: Muskotia, Kilbury, Nainital

Enjoy the enchanting Himalayas from Muskotia, Kilbury, Nainital. Muskotia cottages is situated on top of the Mountain at a height of 7200 feet/2100 meters overlooking the snow-clad Himalayas and surrounded with thick Oak and Rhododendron Trees. The Kilbury forest area is an International Birding (Naina Devi Bird Conservatory) destination with estimated > 400 species of Birds/Butterflies and Moths. 

Accommodation:

·       Muskotia Resort, Nainital, Uttarakhand is a boutique - family owned property for the discerning holiday traveler. Cottages (Muskotia and Muskotia facilities (500 meters walking distance from main Muskotia) are located in wildscape setting using sustainable methods of construction, contemporary/ethnic style mountain architecture. Hot water for bathing, DIY herbal tea making in suite cottage. Cottages done up very tastefully yet minimalist in living but high on comfort

·       At Muskotia Cottages OR Muskotia facilities Cottages (500 meters away from Muskotia). Room service is discouraged at the property. All meals/beverages are served in Muskotia Main Dining hall or the lawns. Clean bedsheets and towels would be provided at the time of check in. These would only be changed at the discretion of the housekeeping only (help us conserve water).

·       All activities would be at main Muskotia-Yogshala/Lawns/open fields or adjoining Kilbury forest.

www.muskotiaretreat.com.

Two types of accommodation are being offered to the participants. Please check the one of your choice and preference:

A. Muskotia Cottages: High class sustainable building with Contemporary-Mountain architecture. Fitted with Infra-Red heaters, Independent water geysers, Towel warmers, Cable television (with most of the popular channels), DIY Herbal tea making and hot water kettle, fully furnished. Price per person Rs.38999

B. Muskotia facilities-Cottages (500 meters walking distance from main Muskotia premises): Ethnic/Vernacular architecture using local sustainable building material, fully furnished with DIY Electric kettle for herbal tea making, Hot water geyser. TV in common dining hall, Electric heaters can be provided on request, with no charge. Price per person Rs.30999

Commercials:

·       INR 38999 per person (@Muskotia Cottage)

·       INR 30999 per person (@Muskotia facilities Cottages -500 meters away from Muskotia)

·       Accommodation on twin sharing basis, only.

Inclusions:

·       Check-in: anytime on 17TH MAY 2020 last entry @ 6 pm (Karvaan Retreat begins on 18th May 2020)

·       Check-out: By 11 am on 23rd May 2020 (Karvaan Retreat closes on 22th May post-lunch, you may choose to leave on 22th May or linger on to soak in the Himalayas & peace of the retreat)

·       All meals, from 17th to 23rd May. The food served in simple vegetarian sattvic, detox, Himalayan & tasty! 

·       All program activities

·       All program material

Exclusions:

·       Cost is exclusive of travel.

TERMS OF PAYMENT and PARTICIPATION

A. 10% Early discount available till 29.2.2020

B. Advance of Rs.10,000

C. Balance to be paid latest by 1st May 2020.

D. All payment through bank transfers only

E. To confirm your participation and get further details, kindly whats app your name and email to 7599741949 or email to nature@muskotiaretreat.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  How to Reach Muskotia?

Nainital is the nearest hill station from Delhi about 270 kms by road. Here is how can travel from Delhi:

By Road: Regular Bus connections from ISBT station or take AC VOLVO Bus till Haldwani from Delhi (various operators, please check net for the one suitable to you). From Haldwani Bus tation/Railway station one can get sharing taxi, full taxi or Buses to Nainital town (35 kms). Check online portals.

By Train: Nearest Rail head is Kathgodam / Haldwani (both are twin towns with a gap of 2 kms)

Popular trains are Shatabadi Chair Car/ Ranikhet express overnight/Kathgodam Sampark Kranti Chair Car. In case travelling by train, advise to book your tickets much in advance (Nainital is a very popular hill station)

Muskotia is situated 17 kms from Mall Road, Main NAINITAL town. Once you are in the main town of Nainital, drive through the beautiful Kilbury forest to reach Village Pangoot (famous birding destination). Keep driving for another 3 kms from Pangoot to reach Village Gugukham where Muskotia Shuttle will be standing for you to take you to Muskotia (last 500 meters of your journey to reach Muskotia on top of the Mountain overlooking the snow-clad Himalayas) on Top of the Mountain.

Please intimate 1 hour is advance to Team Muskotia on your time of arrival by whatsapp on 7599741949 with your name and number of passengers for the Muskotia Shuttle to be there for receiving you.

For taxi services for you/your group call Afsar Bhai on 9758848339 (ask for special rates for MUSKOTIA customers) or choose to hire your own taxi guy at Haldwani/Pantnagar or Nainital. Payment to be made in Cash to the taxi driver.

2.  Can I come for part of a workshop or miss some sessions during the 5 days?

The program is an integrated and immersive in nature, and missing part of the workshop is a sure way of missing out on the self-learning processes that the workshops seeks to trigger in participants. Participating in all sessions is mandatory.

3.  Who can join this event?

People from all kinds of backgrounds can participate. The program is not suitable for children and severely ill individuals. Seekers of every ilk are welcome. No previous experience in yoga or meditation is required.  In case you plan to bring your family with you,please ask them to join you post the Retreat is over on 23rd May 2020.

4.  What should I carry?

·       Yoga Mat

·       Comfortable clothes- avoid sarees, shorts, skirts etc. Wear Pants/Tracksuits Churidar kuta/pyjama

·       Comfortable walking shoes - Normal sneakers are fine. Avoid No flats/stilettos or heels, crocs/slippers for walking.

·       Warm clothes. Always carry a jacket as weather in Himalayas can be unpredictable.

·       Personal toiletries

·       Lunch box

·       Torch & extra batteries

·       Mosquito repellant

·       Sunscreen/Hat/Sunglasses

·       Any prescription medications you are taking.

·       Optional-Camera/Binoculars

·       A small day packs.

Tip: Visit Decathlon for reasonable and good mountain gear.

5.  Weather in Kilbury forest, Nainital during the retreat?

May 2nd /3rd week is Summer months @ Muskotia. We expect Maximum temperature 26-27’C and minimum 16-18 ‘C. Himalayan weather can some time get unpredictable, please come prepared with a light jacket. Evening (post sunset) do tend to get a little nippy.

6.  Can I smoke or drink during the program?

Drinking is strictly prohibited. It is recommended you avoid smoking as much as possible. If you need to take a smoke that will have to be outside the venue perimeter and should not inconvenience any fellow participant.

7.  Will my cellphone/mobile work at the venue? Is wi-fi available.

Some cellphones (BSNL and JIO) work, while others don't.

In any case best to give your phone a little holiday while you attend the program. You will be required to keep your phones switched off during the program activities. For any urgent calls, there would be a BSNL telephone available to call anywhere in India, free of charge to the Retreat participants, you can make as many calls as you want. Reliance JIO has reasonably good connectivity for the WIFI, please carry your own dongle in case you desire to be connected in WIFI post Retreat timings.

8.  Will the program be tiring?

The activities in the program involve mild to moderate physical activity (e.g. hike, forest walks, yoga) but provides opportunities to rest. The agenda is designed to give you enough gaps to soak in nature, contemplate and rest between each activity. Karvaan Retreat closes on 22rd May post-lunch, you may choose to leave on 22th  or linger on to soak in the Himalayas & peace of the retreat until 23rd (Saturday) morning. Depending on where you live, you should be back home by Sunday providing you enough time to unpack & rest.

We recommend keeping your Monday slow. Ideal to take the day off, if not atleast start work late, avoid super stressful situations or work from home. In case you plan to extend your stay at Muskotia, please inform us in advance so that necessary bookings can be made by you.

9.  How to I implement what I learnt in Karvaan once I am back?

That is the most important question. Participating in a wellness retreat can be revolutionary but the real test begins after the retreat. Will this positive energy you gathered sustainable? That is where we are different from other similar programs. 

·       The program teaches you that you don’t have to run to Himalayas every time you are stressed or are losing your inner peace. You can meditate while brushing your teeth or while commuting to work. We teach you practical techniques that you can implement in your daily modern metro lives.

·       Additionally, we have a unique buddy program designed. Your buddy is your partner in crime. He/She walks the talk with you. You can fall together, get-up together & say “yes we can do it”!

·       Most importantly, we have regular Karvaan Booster sessions. If you are in Mumbai join us in person or via our online webinars for these meditation workshops. These booster sessions are at no extra cost to you.

10.              I have attended Karvaan retreat (3 day or 5day) in the past, can I join again. How will the repeat retreat benefit me?

Think back to when you learned to ride a bike, drive a car or play a new sport. First, you needed to learn the essential skills. Then it was all about practice and more practice until you increased your confidence, improved your speed and became skilled.  Have you found a deeper meaning in a book you read more than once? Some profound meaning percolating in your being each time you read the book.

If you have attended our program Karvaan before, we encourage you to repeat it as much as you like for strengthening and deepening your practice. And simply as a reminder or booster to "simplifying life" (As Swapna, a previous Karvaan participant puts it as)

Repetitio mater studiorum est. 

Repetition is the mother of all learning.

11.              Any other perks?

Well, if what we said above is not enough as a cherry on the cake there are some free-bees too!

·       One copper water bottle per participant (this copper water bottle is for your water drinking during the stay at the Retreat). Please keep it filled and carry along during the entire stay/course of the Retreat.

·       One Steel Glass with meenakari work (this glass to be used for all your drinking requirements. You are expected to use this Glass for all beverages Hot/Cold)

·       10% Discount of Muskotia Farms: Herbs and Herbal Tea (Tissanes, caffine free. Check for products on Amazon.in)

·       In case you plan to extend you stay at Muskotia, you would get 10% of the rack rate available at Muskotia or Muskotia facilities, please independently check with Muskotia for same for availability of accommodation

·       First homeopathic & Zen counselling consultation is FREE. This can be done during the retreat or post the retreat. If you are in Mumbai, you are welcome over a cup of chai, if not consultations can happen via skype or whatsapp. We courier homeopathic medicines across the globe. To know more how Homeopathy & Zen counselling can help click below: www.healingharmony.in

12.              What should be my dress code

We recommend wearing normal fit clothes (not too tight or too loose) for your normal day to day activities at the retreat. Wear good walking shoes at all time while at the retreat to make your movement in the hilly region comfortable. Wear pants, normal fit (no tight fit)jeans, track suits, Cap/Hat, sun glasses. Do avoid Skirts, high heels, flats, rubber chappals, sarees, hotpants ( normal length shorts or bermudas are ok in April to July month retreats), avoid spaghetti tops. Suggest to carry jacket and woollens as per the climate/temperatures prevailing @ Nainital during the month of the year.

   11. What would be my daily schedule

         Kindly note that the schedule for the Retreat would be explained

       and shared with you at the time of check in at Muskotia.

HOW HAS KARVAAN HELPED PEOPLE?

What do people have to say? https://youtu.be/zMrhwJ_UpyU

Amidst beautiful location we had sessions of yoga, meditation n lot of fun activities like dance movements, painting, trekking in the rain, master chef contest etc. We were provided with simple n nutritious food throughout. No tea, coffee, only green tea n ginger water was served. I applaud the efforts of both the Doctors as the whole event went off seamlessly. I forgot my aches n pains and came back rejuvenated. Looking forward to the next Karvaan!

Emotional detox and movement therapy were the activities that had maximum impact on my body , heart, mind & soul. I felt so alive.. I shed a lot of my inhibitions and hesitations during all the activities and I feel a sense of calmness now and I know it shall prevail...My perceptions and way of looking at things have changed for good and my anxiety has gone down....thank you thank you thank you

I would rate Karvaan 5/5 stars, I wish would give 6, never realized nothingness could be heartful & emptiness so powerful. I feel like a different person. Beautiful session & highly Recommended.

To Know more & register: http://www.healingharmony.in/karvaan