Maitri field guide
Women-only retreats near Delhi
How far from Delhi is it?
The Slow House sits in Pangot village at about 1,980m, roughly seven hours by road from Delhi. Guests do not arrange the journey. A chauffeur-driven Toyota Innova Crysta collects the group in Delhi on the morning of Day 1 and returns them on Day 4. Both legs are part of the price. The nearest city is Nainital, about 15 km away, and the nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 70 km away.
What makes it women-only?
Every batch is women only, and the whole property is held for that batch rather than shared with other guests. Gunjan, the founder, facilitates all four days herself. There is no rotating roster of teachers and no one arriving partway through. The circle sessions are treated as confidential.
How many women are in a batch?
Six. That number is the format, not a seasonal limit. It is the size at which a circle can hold everyone in it without anyone having to compete for the room. Maitri has run twelve batches for seventy-two women to date.
What is included in ₹29,999?
Delhi pickup and drop, three nights of twin-sharing accommodation at The Slow House, all meals as vegetarian farm-to-table Kumaoni cooking, and unlimited forest-harvested tea. The sessions included are somatic yoga, breathwork, sound healing with Tibetan bowls and gongs, guided forest bathing on private trails, an art therapy workshop, and women's circles. There are no hidden costs and no tipping. Private suite upgrades are available at extra cost.
What happens across the four days?
Day 1 is the drive from Delhi, arrival, the first circle, and dinner. Day 2 is morning yoga and breathwork, a slow trek on Pangot's birding trails, an unstructured afternoon, and an evening sound bath. Day 3 is deeper yoga, forest bathing to a hidden stream, art therapy, a seven-course Kumaoni feast, and a fire circle. Day 4 is the closing circle, the Maitri Letter, and the drive back.
Are any 2026 dates available?
No. All eight scheduled 2026 seasons, from August through December, are sold out. The only way in is the waitlist, and places open only when someone cancels. Waitlisted women are contacted personally, in order. Private bespoke batches for a group of six can be arranged on custom dates.
Who it is not for
Maitri is not a couples retreat, a family holiday, or a mixed-gender programme. There is no alcohol and no non-vegetarian food, no spa treatments, no camping, and no adventure sports. It is a wellness retreat and not medical or emergency care. No previous yoga or meditation experience is needed.
How to join the waitlist
The waitlist is on the main site. Questions about fit can go directly to Gunjan on WhatsApp at +91 85957 00621 or by email at [email protected].