Reconnect at our forest therapy retreat in Madhya Pradesh, India

  • Last activity : 29 May 2025

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Welcome to our place of health. We are a forest therapy retreat operating under the principle that immersion in nature will help restore the body and the mind to their proper balance. Many Indian and some international health seekers come here for workshops and extended stays, where we encourage holistic health by employing practices such as autophagy (fasting), simple eating and simple living, physical labor, art and music, and above all, communion with the wild.

    We strive to be as eco-friendly as possible. We are entirely solar-powered and we minimize the use of plastic (please do not bring any plastic here as we cannot recycle it). As we develop our community here we seek to disturb the environment as little as possible.

    Life here is very basic, because we want to separate ourselves from nature as little as possible. We live in bamboo-mud huts and have mud floors. We are also growing our food forest so you can enjoy some organically grown fruits and vegetables depending on the season you visit!

    Being in close contact with nature is not all pretty flowers and birdsong (although we do have wonderful birdsong here).

    We are located directly at the base of a 20,000 acre forest reserve. In your free time, you can explore nature, bathe in the stream, or relax here in our community.

    We have a young cat named Chandmal, who is currently learning to hunt lizards.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Interests

    Interests

    Technology
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Sustainability
    Pets
    Culture
    Self development
    Farming
    Plant care
    Music
    DIY & crafts
    Books
    Art & design
    Blogging
    Photography
    Languages
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Writing
    Performing arts
    Hitchhiking
    Drawing & painting
    Animals
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Fitness
    Camping
    Dancing
    Outdoor activities
    Hiking
    Adventure sports
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Volunteers coming here will have a unique opportunity to be a part of an innovative community of global health seekers. When health seekers arrive, you can learn the stories and health journeys of Indian people and engage in self-healing activities. When there is no retreat group, you will have lots of time to enjoy nature and interact with community members.

    You can also experience and know more about Indian arts and culture from Vaidehi, our resident Artist. Vaidehi is an Indian Classical Dancer trained in Odissi, a dance style from the eastern state of Odisha.

    We welcome all kinds of people, especially those interested in nature, health, and creativity.

    Tourist activities:
    --The Sanchi Stupa is located 40 Kms away from here and can be reached by bus. We are located away from the crowded towns and can serve as an escape for people running away from the city buzz.
    --Bhopal has many museums, a tribal museum is very famous attraction spot here.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    Projects are always changing, but these are the most common tasks:

    -- forest exploration and mapping
    -- Working in the vegetable garden
    -- Helping in bamboo / mud hut construction
    -- Videography / Photo documentation / Social Media
    -- Subtitling in Foreign Language (please search for our YouTube channel to get an idea of our work here)
    -- Help in the kitchen

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Hindi: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    We love to translate and connect people across languages!

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We live in bamboo-mud huts which we have built ourselves. When there is not a retreat group visiting, you will be able to sleep on a simple bed in the hut with a mosquito net. If the huts are full, we have several tents with mattresses. Please bring a bedsheet, sleeping bag and torch along. If you want us to arrange you can pay for it.

    We offer simple vegetarian, largely vegan meals.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Our place is ideal for bird watching and watching time slow down as nature takes over. Watch the entire trail of the sun as it rises and sets, changing the hues of the sky as it does. Enjoy simple food prepared in the most delicious way and learn how to work close to the earth. Again, please try not to carry anything plastic with you and if you do, do not leave it behind as we do not have disposals for plastic here.

    We would recommend you to plan your arrival and departure on the farm before 3 pm in the afternoon on the scheduled day as transportation has to be arranged to travel between the farm and Bhopal, the nearest city.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have good 4g internet availability in our area now. You will have to carry Jio/Airtel connection to get good internet. We do not have a common wifi, but can help you with occasional use.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There is a plenty of space to park your campervans or tents.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 915256965958

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Photos

The image depicts a man and woman standing on a rock, with the woman's hand on the man's chest, in front of a tree and a foggy background.
The image depicts a group of people gathered in a circle, seated on the ground, with a table and chairs in the background, conveying a sense of community and social interaction.
The image depicts a man cradling a cat in his arms, with the cat gazing directly at the camera. The man is attired in a gray sweater and blue pants.
Two people sit on the ground in front of a small building, eating from metal bowls with spoons, surrounded by trees and a serene atmosphere.
The image depicts a young girl crouched down, gently petting a tabby cat with white fur on its chest, in a grassy area with a rustic building in the background.
The image depicts a hand holding a metal bowl containing a salad of shredded cabbage, broccoli, and pomegranate seeds, set against a natural outdoor background.
The image depicts a serene rural scene with a white building, lush trees, and two individuals sitting on a bench, surrounded by a natural and peaceful environment.
The image depicts a white dome-shaped structure with an arched doorway, situated under a wooden roof in a natural setting, surrounded by trees and bushes.
Two individuals are playing guitars in an outdoor setting, with a body of water visible in the background, surrounded by trees and greenery. The atmosphere appears relaxed and peaceful.
The image shows a group of people building a structure, likely a house, with a focus on the roof and walls. The scene is set in a rural area with a natural landscape.
The image depicts a serene scene of a man sitting on a swing under a tree, with a green tent and a chair nearby, surrounded by lush foliage and fallen leaves.
The image depicts a serene natural setting, featuring a body of water with lush greenery and trees in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility and peacefulness.

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Help our local team welcome guests at our campsite where adventure awaits in Suryanelli, India
Rural life in a remote village helping with eco-building and farming in Rettanai Village, India