Maitri field guide
What solo women can expect at Maitri
Is it strange to come alone?
It is the common case rather than the exception. Every batch is a mix of women arriving solo and women referred by past guests. Because the group is six and the drive from Delhi is shared, the circle usually begins forming in the car, several hours before anyone reaches the house. No one arrives into a room of established friendships.
Arrival without navigating alone
Guests travel from Delhi in Maitri's private Innova Crysta instead of arranging public transport, hill taxis, or unfamiliar drivers. The same vehicle brings the group back on Day 4. Confirmed guests receive the pickup details directly from Gunjan. There is no leg of the trip where a woman is working out a route in an unfamiliar hill town by herself.
A small, private group
Each batch is capped at six women. The full property is reserved for the group rather than shared with a large hotel crowd, and it is Gunjan's own property rather than a rented venue. Maitri treats the women's circle as confidential and asks participants to respect one another's emotional privacy and boundaries.
How demanding is the terrain?
Pangot sits at about 1,980m. This is hill altitude rather than high altitude, and it does not call for acclimatisation the way a trek does. Walking is part of the retreat, on private guest-only forest trails at a slow pace. There is no strenuous hiking, no camping, and no adventure sports. Fitness level and flexibility are not relevant to taking part.
Choice during the retreat
Yoga, breathwork, sound healing, forest bathing, and creative sessions are invitations rather than tests. A guest may modify a practice, rest, or take quiet time instead. Nothing is compulsory and nothing is tracked. No previous yoga or meditation experience is required.
Staying reachable
There is full mobile coverage at the property, and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the house. A guest who needs to check in with family, children, or work at home can do so at any point, by phone or online. Pangot is remote, but it is not out of contact. Being reachable is a practical matter here, not something guests have to negotiate or apologise for.
Health and access information
Tell Gunjan in advance about injuries, pregnancy, dietary restrictions, medicines, mobility needs, or mental-health considerations. This allows the team to explain what can be accommodated and avoids assumptions about individual needs. All meals are vegetarian, and vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free needs can be met when they are known ahead of time. Maitri is a wellness retreat, not medical treatment or emergency care, and it is not a substitute for professional mental health support. The nearest hospital and clinics are in Nainital, about 15 km away on a well-connected road. The private vehicle used for the journey stays at the property for the whole retreat, so transport is on hand at any hour rather than something that has to be found.
If plans change
A confirmed place can be transferred to a friend at any point. Cancellations thirty or more days ahead are refunded in full, and cancellations fifteen to thirty days ahead at fifty percent. Under fifteen days there is no refund. Anything exceptional is worth raising with Gunjan directly.
After the four days
The six women from a batch stay connected through a private group. Thirty days later, the letter each guest writes to herself on Day 4 arrives at her home address by post.
Who to contact
Questions about safety or fit can be discussed directly with Gunjan on WhatsApp at +91 85957 00621 or by email at [email protected].