Meditation & Silence vs Private & Custom

Both are structured Himalayan retreat programs. The difference lies in purpose, pacing, and who each format is best suited for. This comparison outlines the key distinctions to help you choose.

At a Glance

	Meditation & Silence	Private & Custom
Format	Drop into the depth that silence reveals, with guidance and sanctuary.	A retreat designed entirely around your needs, timeline, and intentions.
Duration	5-day program	Flexible (custom)
Primary Location	chakrata	chakrata
Why that location	Forest silence creates a natural container for meditation. The mind settles faster.	Our primary location. Logistically optimal for most custom configurations.

Who Each Retreat Is For

	Meditation & Silence	Private & Custom
Best suited for	Anyone seeking a meditation practice or deepening an existing one People wanting to experience extended silence in a supported setting Those seeking clarity beyond daily mental patterns Practitioners ready to go deeper into their inner landscape	Anyone with specific retreat intentions that don't fit standard programs Couples seeking retreat for deepening or healing connection Small groups or teams seeking shared retreat experience People with specific dietary, accessibility, or practice needs Those wanting to explore something entirely new or non-traditional
Not for	People uncomfortable with silence or introspection Those in acute psychological distress Anyone seeking social interaction or group activities People wanting immediate results or measurable progress	People seeking the most affordable option (custom comes at a premium) Those uncomfortable with the design process or clear intention-setting

Daily Rhythm

Meditation & Silence

Days begin early with meditation practice—6:00 AM typically. The morning session builds the day's container. You will sit for 45 minutes, then have guidance and questions. Breakfast follows. Eating in silence, with attention to each bite. Late morning offers another sit—often self-directed. You practice what was taught, or simply sit and observe your mind. Midday brings lunch and quiet time. Some meditate. Some rest. Most find their rhythm. Afternoon practice—3:00 PM—brings another guided session or self-practice, depending on the day's structure. Dinner arrives simply. Evening brings the final sit—typically shorter, deeper, more introspective. By day three or four, your mind begins to stabilize. The chatter quiets. What remains is spacious and clear.

Private & Custom

We begin with conversation. What do you need? What are you seeking? What does your body know? What does your heart want? From that conversation, we design your retreat. Duration, location, practices, pacing, depth, community level—all customized. We source teachers, facilitators, and support specific to your needs. We handle accommodations, meals, logistics. You arrive into a container that was built specifically for your unfolding. The rhythm is yours, held within our expertise and care.

Program Profile Comparison

Dimension	Meditation & Silence	Private & Custom
Intensity	Intensity3/10	Intensity5/10
Reflection Depth	Reflection Depth9/10	Reflection Depth6/10
Social Interaction	Social Interaction2/10	Social Interaction3/10
Physical Demand	Physical Demand1/10	Physical Demand4/10

How to Choose

If your primary need is drop into the depth that silence reveals, with guidance and sanctuary, the Meditation & Silence retreat may be more aligned.

If your primary need is a retreat designed entirely around your needs, timeline, and intentions, explore the Private & Custom retreat instead.

For a broader overview of all retreat programs and formats, visit our complete guide to Himalayan Retreats in India.