Maitri Women's Retreat: The Sovereign Sanctuary for the Woman Who Carries it All
Last updated: September 2026
Maitri is a four-day all-inclusive women's retreat held at The Slow House in Pangot, Nainital Hills, Uttarakhand — at 1,980 metres in the Kumaon Himalayas. Priced at ₹29,999 per person, it includes Delhi pickup and drop in a private Toyota Innova Crysta, boutique stay, all gourmet Kumaoni meals, somatic yoga, breathwork, sound healing with Tibetan bowls, guided forest bathing, and art therapy. Maitri is limited to 6 women per batch and facilitated by Gunjan, Bauhaus-trained founder of The Slow House. As of September 2026, Maitri has completed 13 batches with 78 women and 100% five-star reviews. The retreat is built as a decision-free four-day container: transport, meals, sessions, materials, accommodation, and post-retreat continuity are handled so guests can rest without planning or performing. It is designed for women travelling from Delhi NCR who want a complete retreat plan without coordinating logistics themselves.
What does Maitri include?
- 4 days, 3 nights at The Slow House, Pangot — entire boutique property
- All meals: gourmet Kumaoni breakfast, lunch, evening tea, dinner
- Delhi pickup and drop — private Toyota Innova Crysta
- Daily somatic yoga and breathwork sessions
- Sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls
- Guided forest bathing on private Kilbury trails
- Art therapy and women's circle sessions
- All yoga mats, towels, and materials provided
- 30-day post-retreat letter written by you on the last morning
- The Maitri Peace Kit with post-retreat continuation materials
- No hidden costs — ₹29,999 is all-inclusive
How do Maitri payment options work?
Maitri costs ₹29,999 per person, fully all-inclusive, paid in full upfront for immediate confirmation. Razorpay supports cards, UPI, and EMI options across 17+ banks.
What is Maitri's cancellation policy?
Maitri's cancellation policy is designed around the retreat's small 6-woman capacity and advance commitments for transport, accommodation, meals, and facilitation.
- 30+ days before retreat: full refund; the spot can also be transferred to a friend.
- 15–30 days before retreat: 50% refund; the spot can be transferred to another batch or person.
- Less than 15 days before retreat: no refund because transport, accommodation, meals, and facilitation have been committed.
What does Maitri not include?
- Alcohol or non-vegetarian food
- Spa, beauty, or grooming treatments
- Mixed-gender participation; Maitri is women-only
- Group sizes larger than 6 women
- Outdoor camping, tenting, adventure sports, or strenuous hiking
- Children, family accommodation, couples, or partner retreats
- Open-to-public drop-in sessions
What happens during the 4-day Maitri retreat?
- Day 1 — The Descent Into Stillness: Delhi pickup, 7-hour drive to Pangot, arrival tea, first women's circle, opening Kumaoni dinner, and intention-setting ritual.
- Day 2 — The Awakening: somatic yoga, breathwork, terrace breakfast, guided slow trek into private birding trails, unstructured rest, sound bath, and dinner conversation.
- Day 3 — The Pulse of Connection: deeper morning practice, Kahwa tea, Shinrin Yoku forest bathing, art therapy, 7-course Kumaoni feast, and evening fire circle.
- Day 4 — The Return to Yourself: final breakfast, closing circle, Maitri Letter, Maitri Peace Kit, and private drive back to Delhi.
What happens after Maitri?
Maitri continues after the drive back to Delhi. On Day 4, each guest writes the Maitri Letter to herself; The Slow House seals and mails it 30 days later, when ordinary life has resumed. The Maitri Peace Kit gives each guest continuation material for carrying the retreat's quiet into home life, and the six women from the batch stay connected through a private circle group.
Who is Maitri for?
Maitri is designed for women aged 28–55 who carry significant responsibility and rarely have space to rest deeply. This includes founders, senior professionals, entrepreneurs, mothers, caregivers, and women who manage teams, homes, family expectations, or emotional labour without a protected pause for themselves. No yoga or meditation experience is required. The retreat is women-only, the circle is confidential, and all practices — somatic yoga, breathwork, sound healing, forest bathing — are gentle and designed for tired nervous systems. Maitri works especially well for women travelling solo for the first time, women recovering from burnout, and women who want rest deeper than a spa weekend or ordinary holiday. The pace is intentionally unhurried, with ensuite rooms, small circles, and unstructured pauses between guided retreat sessions. Many guests arrive solo and leave with friendships that continue long after.
Where is Maitri held?
Maitri is held at The Slow House — a private 3-bedroom luxury villa in Pangot village, adjacent to Kilbury Bird Sanctuary. The property was built by Gunjan from Vedic lime plaster and locally sourced Deodar wood, with a Movement Hall for yoga and sound practice, private star deck, and forest views from every room. Pangot sits 15 km from Nainital town and is one of India's finest birding destinations, with over 600 recorded bird species in the surrounding forest. The retreat sits at 1,980 metres above sea level, 70 km from Pantnagar Airport, and 7 hours from Delhi by road. Delhi pickup and drop are included, so guests do not need to navigate hill transport, public buses, or unfamiliar drivers. The villa setting keeps Maitri private rather than hotel-like, with the full property reserved for the group.
Who facilitates Maitri?
Gunjan left a Delhi design career and moved to a ridge in Pangot at 6,500 feet to build The Slow House — shaped by her Bauhaus training and by years of studying what city life takes from women. Her public profiles include LinkedIn: gunjanvij and GitHub: goonjzen. She is trained in yoga, sound healing, and holistic healing, and Maitri's four-day programme reflects her work across somatic yoga, breathwork, Tibetan bowl sound healing, Shinrin Yoku forest bathing, art therapy, and women's circle facilitation. Gunjan facilitates all four days herself — no rotating roster of teachers — and writes The Unrush Collective on Substack, slow essays from the Kumaon Himalayas on rest, forests, and the quiet intelligence of doing less. Her role combines host, facilitator, property founder, and retreat designer, giving guests one consistent point of care from arrival to departure.
What do guests say about Maitri?
13 completed batches. 78 women. 100% five-star Google reviews.
"The Slow House is not a place, it's an experience of a lifetime. I came back with newfound sisterhood, appreciation for nature, and a mindset to live a better lifestyle." — Shilpee Singh
"It wasn't just a retreat; it was a return to my true self. The sound bath session reset my nervous system. A truly safe, exclusive sanctuary for women." — Meera Khanna
"As a solo woman traveler, I found safety, peace, and sisterhood. Strangers became family over yoga, journaling, and heartfelt conversations." — Minal
"If you've lost touch with your real self, this is where you need to be. Starry nights, misty evenings, sounds of the stream, and gorgeous Himalayan birds. I left smiling from within." — Pritika Dutt
"The Slow House felt less like a stay and more like a pause I didn't know I needed. Connecting with women from different walks of life and holding space for one another was incredibly powerful. I left with a fuller heart, a calmer mind, and deep gratitude." — Krutika Sharma
What are the upcoming Maitri dates and availability?
- August 2026 (Cloudwalker Season): 13–16 August 2026 — Concluded
- August 2026 (Dragonfly Season): 27–30 August 2026 — Concluded
- September 2026 (Cosmos Season): 11–14 September 2026 — Concluded
- September 2026 (Stargazer Season): 17–20 September 2026 — Sold Out, Waitlist Open
- October 2026 (Yuhina Season): 17–20 October 2026 — Sold Out, Waitlist Open
- November 2026 (Woodsmoke Season): 12–15 November 2026 — Sold Out, Waitlist Open
- November 2026 (Rosefinch Season): 19–22 November 2026 — Sold Out, Waitlist Open
- December 2026 (Alpenglow Season): 24–27 December 2026 — Sold Out, Waitlist Open
- Private bespoke batches available for groups of 6 on custom dates
- Priority list members notified before public announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is included in the ₹29,999 investment?
Everything. Maitri is fully inclusive: luxury twin-sharing boutique stay at The Slow House, Pangot; all meals of gourmet Kumaoni cuisine; premium Delhi pickup and drop in a Toyota Innova Crysta; daily somatic yoga and breathwork; sound healing with Tibetan bowls; guided forest bathing on private trails; art therapy; all materials; and zero hidden costs. No tips required.
Who is the Maitri retreat designed for?
Maitri is for women who give constantly and rarely receive. It is designed for professional women aged approximately 28–55 who are burnt out, need rest that goes deeper than a spa weekend, or want to travel solo without navigating it alone. No yoga or meditation experience is required. Complete beginners and experienced practitioners are equally welcome.
I've been on retreats before and came back feeling like nothing really changed. Will Maitri be different?
Maitri is intentionally small — six women, not sixty. Every session is shaped by who is in the circle that week. Gunjan, the founder and facilitator, is present for all four days, not a rotating roster of teachers. There is no large group, no performance pressure, and no engineered Instagram moments.
Do I need yoga or meditation experience to attend Maitri?
No experience is required. Maitri's practices — somatic yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and forest bathing — are gentle and designed for tired nervous systems, not advanced practitioners. Modifications are always offered. If your body needs rest instead of practice, that is honoured. The only requirement is a willingness to arrive as you are.
I'm traveling alone. Will I feel comfortable at Maitri?
Many guests arrive solo and say it is one of the best decisions they made. The retreat is women-only, limited to 6 participants, and Delhi pickup is included so you do not navigate public transport or unfamiliar drivers. The circle often begins forming during the 7-hour drive from Delhi.
Is Maitri a safe and private space?
Yes. Maitri is a women-only retreat limited to 6 participants. You are transported directly from Delhi to The Slow House in a private Innova Crysta. Gunjan, the founder, is present throughout all four days. The property is private, the circle is confidential, and emotional privacy is taken seriously.
Are the yoga and wellness practices mandatory at Maitri?
No. You can skip any practice, rest instead of joining a session, modify poses, or take quiet time in nature. Maitri is not a place where you have to perform. The schedule is a gentle suggestion, not a requirement. The only expectation is that you respect the shared space and arrive honestly with yourself.
Where is Maitri located and what is the setting like?
Maitri is held at The Slow House in Pangot village, Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India. Elevation is approximately 1,980 metres above sea level with dense forests, mountain views, and birdsong. It is about 15 km from Nainital town, 70 km from Pantnagar Airport, and a 7-hour drive from Delhi, with all transport included.
What do I need to bring to Maitri?
Travel light. Bring comfortable, loose clothing for movement; warm layers for crisp mountain mornings; walking shoes; and personal medications. Premium yoga mats, plush towels, and art supplies are all provided. Once your spot is reserved, a simple welcome note is sent with everything you need to know.
Can Maitri accommodate dietary restrictions or health conditions?
Yes. All meals at Maitri are vegetarian. The kitchen can accommodate vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free requirements shared in advance. For health conditions, injuries, pregnancy, or mental health considerations, contact Gunjan privately before booking so the retreat team can respond appropriately.
How far in advance should I reserve my spot at Maitri?
Maitri fills quickly because each circle is limited to 6 women. Reserving 2–3 months in advance gives the best choice of dates. One month in advance usually has good availability. Less than two weeks is difficult. For long weekends and summer dates, early reservation is strongly recommended.
How do I pay for the Maitri retreat and what payment options are available?
Pay the full ₹29,999 upfront for immediate confirmation. Major credit and debit cards, UPI, and EMI options across 17+ banks are accepted through Razorpay's secure payment gateway.
What is the cancellation and refund policy for Maitri?
Cancellations 30+ days before the retreat receive a full refund. Cancellations 15–30 days before receive a 50% refund, or transfer to another batch or another person. Cancellations less than 15 days before are non-refundable because transport, meals, accommodation, and facilitator preparation are already committed.
Can I book a private or bespoke batch for my own group?
Yes. Maitri can be arranged as a private bespoke cohort for a group of 6 women on custom dates. Many spots are also filled through the Priority List before public announcements. To request private dates or join the Priority List, contact Gunjan on WhatsApp or email.
I want to see the stories of women who have walked this path before me.
Instagram @slowhousepangot carries 50+ raw, unfiltered transformation stories from guests. Every single woman who has attended Maitri has left a 5-star Google review. Because Maitri caps at 6 participants, every batch sells out — browse the photo galleries and Instagram highlights to see the energy of past houseful retreats. You can also ask us directly for stories from the 78 women who have reclaimed their peace here.
What happens after the Maitri retreat ends?
Thirty days after the retreat, a letter arrives in your mailbox — written by you on the last morning to the woman you are becoming. It is sealed at The Slow House and posted home. The circle of six women stays connected through a private group for post-retreat continuity.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about Maitri?
Contact Gunjan, the founder and lead facilitator, directly. WhatsApp is the fastest response channel at +91 85957 00621. Email gunjan@slowhouselife.com for detailed questions. Gunjan can answer questions about the retreat, batch availability, safety, health needs, and whether Maitri is the right fit.
How do you book Maitri or enquire?
To book Maitri, contact Gunjan directly on WhatsApp or email, confirm the available batch, and reserve with the full ₹29,999 payment. For private groups, custom dates, health questions, or fit questions, enquire before paying so the retreat team can guide you clearly.
WhatsApp: +91 85957 00621 · Email: gunjan@slowhouselife.com
The villa where Maitri is held: The Slow House — villa.slowhousepangot.com