5-Day Pottery Retreat
A slower mountain retreat in Dharamkot for people who want clay, quiet mornings, forest air, and a more reflective rhythm around practice.
WhatsApp UsA slower mountain retreat in Dharamkot for people who want clay, quiet mornings, forest air, and a more reflective rhythm around practice.
Wake up to birdsong, fresh air, and quiet mornings.Create with your hands, slow your pace, and see the world a little differently.Leave with new skills, meaningful memories, and a deeper appreciation for the creative process.
Spend five days immersed in clay, creativity, and a slower rhythm of life.
This pottery retreat makes space to slow down, be in nature, and make art as a meaningful part of life. If you want a break from the daily routine, like to spend time in nature and are curious about making pottery or art - this retreat is for you.
Making pottery is a way to quiet mental noise, build patience, and experience the satisfaction of creating something with your hands.
Being in nature and following a gentle rhythm allows you to return feeling clearer, more grounded, and more connected to yourself.
- 5 Days / 5 Nights
- Beginner Friendly
- Small Batch (8–10 Participants)
- Accommodation and meals Included
- All Pottery Materials Included
- Learn basics
- Daily Studio Sessions
A Retreat Built Around Pottery, Nature & Community
Pottery
Pottery is more than learning techniques—it's about experiencing one of the world's oldest crafts. Working with clay teaches patience, observation, and the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.
Nature
Surrounded by nature, the retreat unfolds at a slower pace. Quiet mornings, fresh air, and time outdoors create the space to focus, observe, and enjoy the process of making.
Community
Experience the retreat alongside a small group of like-minded people. Share meals, conversations, and time in the studio while learning from one another and creating lasting memories together.
How Your Days Will Look
Each day builds on the previous one, giving you the time to practise, experiment, and grow more confident with clay. Most of your day is spent in the pottery studio, learning through hands-on practice. You'll explore:
- Wheel Throwing
- Hand Building
- Surface Decoration
- Studio Practices & Ceramics Basics
Designed for beginners, every session includes personal guidance from facilitators who are there to support you throughout the retreat.
Who This Retreat Is For
Whether you're a first-time potter, solo traveller, couple, group of friends, or simply curious to explore clay, this retreat is designed to be welcoming, beginner-friendly, and free from pressure.
Join this retreat if you:
By the end of the retreat, you'll take home:
- Handmade ceramics you've created, delivered to you after glazing, firing, and finishing.
- Practical pottery skills to continue your journey.
- Greater confidence working with clay.
- Meaningful memories of five days spent learning and creating.
- Connections made within a small creative community.
Retreat flow
Check-in before 2 PM, take your time to settle in, visit the studio, meet other people, and attend your first pottery session from 3 PM - 5 PM.
These days of the retreat include group pottery sessions between 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM, where you will learn pottery basics (wheel throwing, hand building, and surface decoration) while creating your own art pieces as part of this pottery retreat in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from the pottery sessions, there will be nature walks, yoga/meditation sessions, and local sightseeing as part of the retreat program.
No activities are scheduled today. Enjoy a relaxed morning and heartfelt farewells after breakfast. Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
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About location
Surrounded by cashew trees and filtered sunlight, Mandrem is a quiet village in North Goa known for its relaxed pace and natural surroundings.
The area is made up of local homes, small cafes, art spaces, and guesthouses spread along narrow village roads. Away from the busier parts of Goa, Mandrem draws artists, travellers, and those looking for a more grounded way to experience Goa. This setting makes the retreat well-suited for those looking for an art retreat in Goa, away from crowded tourist areas.
Accommodation
The accommodation and studio in Goa are surrounded by cashew trees, lush greenery, and the calm atmosphere of Mandrem, offering a peaceful retreat just 2 km from the beach. Being close to the sea, the experience also appeals to those looking for a coastal pottery retreat in India.
Guests stay in wooden cottages with attached washrooms, high-speed WiFi, power backup, hot water, an electric kettle, air-conditioning, and a blend of modern and rustic aesthetics.
An in-house cafeteria provides delicious and healthy Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Studio & Practice
The studio is at the heart of the retreat. The studio and accommodation are located within the same premises, allowing easy movement between rest and practice throughout the day.
The studio is surrounded by greenery, bringing in natural light and a strong sense of connection to the landscape while you work.
Apart from the retreat, the same studio is used for pottery courses, workshops, artist residencies, and longer programs, giving it a lived-in, working atmosphere. The space comfortably accommodates up to 30 students from different programs at a time.
Upcoming dates
Schedule - 2026
September
- Sep 11-16Early Bird
- Sep 18-23Standard
Pricing/person
18% tax applies to both pricing tiers.
Shared rooms available only for guests booking together
Included
5 nights accommodation
Toiletries
Breakfast and lunch every day
Pottery sessions
Art supplies / pottery materials
Not included
Airfare
Taxi to or from the airport
Firing, glazing, and shipping of finished pieces
Alcohol and personal purchases
Laundry
Bank and payment processing charges
Any activities not listed in the retreat inclusions
Booking Process
Once you fill out the form to reserve your seat, we will check availability for your selected batch and get back to you with payment details. To confirm your booking, a reservation amount of INR 25,000 per person is required via bank transfer, payment link, or UPI.
The remaining amount can be paid upon arrival. Once the payment is received, we will share your booking confirmation along with all necessary details. A detailed itinerary will be shared after your booking is confirmed.
Planning your visit
Weather
Winter (Nov-Feb): Sunny, warm days and cooler evenings; lively and comfortable.
Summer (Mar-May): Hot, bright days; early mornings and evenings are pleasant.
Monsoon (Jun-Oct): Lush, rainy, and quieter; slower days and a calmer atmosphere.
What to bring
Light cotton clothing
Swimwear
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Comfortable sandals or flip-flops
A sun hat
How to reach
Manohar International Airport (Mopa) is about 28 km away, roughly 30-40 minutes by road.
Goa International Airport (Dabolim) is about 55 km away, roughly 1.5 hours by road.
Taxi pickup can be arranged on request.
About location
Set above McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot is a small mountain village (10 km from Dharamshala) surrounded by pine and cedar forests, known for its quiet pace and close connection to nature, making it well suited for an art retreat in Dharamkot.
The area is deeply influenced by Tibetan culture, shaped by the presence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community based in McLeod Ganj. Monasteries, prayer flags, meditation spaces, and everyday rituals add a sense of calm, mindfulness, and reflection to daily life here.
Along narrow village paths are forest trails, simple cafes, and small guesthouses, shared by artists, long-term residents, and travellers.
Accommodation
Nestled amidst pine and cedar forests, the accommodation and studio are peaceful yet easily accessible - just a 5-minute walk from the village and part of a quiet Dharamkot pottery studio setting.
All rooms have attached washrooms, Wi-Fi, power backup, hot water, a kettle, heater/fan/heating blanket, private balconies, and mountain views. Laundry and taxi services are available.
Our in-house kitchen serves wholesome Indian vegetarian meals. Vegan and gluten-free options are available on request. Several local cafes are also within a short walk.
Studio & Practice
The studio is at the heart of the retreat. Located on the same premises as the accommodation, it allows an easy rhythm between rest and practice throughout the day, central to this pottery retreat in Himachal Pradesh.
Set amidst pine and cedar forests, the studio receives abundant natural light and maintains a quiet connection to the surrounding mountains while you work.
Beyond the retreat, the same studio is used for courses and longer programs, giving it a lived-in, working atmosphere. The space comfortably accommodates up to 15 participants across different programs, allowing everyone room to work at their own pace.
Upcoming dates
Schedule - 2026
September
- Sep 4-9Standard
- Sep 11-16Standard
- Sep 18-23Standard
Pricing/person
18% tax applies to both pricing tiers.
Shared rooms available only for guests booking together
Included
5 nights accommodation
Toiletries
Packaged drinking water
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day
Pottery sessions
Half-day local tour
Yoga and meditation sessions
Art supplies and pottery materials
Not included
Airfare
Travel to and from Dharamkot
Firing, glazing, and shipping of finished pieces
Personal expenses
Optional activities outside the retreat plan
Booking Process
Once you fill out the form to reserve your seat, we will check availability for your selected batch and get back to you with payment details. To confirm your booking, a reservation amount of INR 25,000 per person is required via bank transfer, payment link, or UPI.
The remaining amount can be paid upon arrival. Once the payment is received, we will share your booking confirmation along with all necessary details. A detailed itinerary will be shared after your booking is confirmed.
Planning your visit
Weather
Spring (Mar-Apr): Cool days, crisp nights, and clear skies across the mountains.
Early summer (May-Jun): Mild days and cooler evenings; especially good for escaping the plains.
Autumn (Sep-Oct): Fresh post-monsoon weather, greener trails, and stable temperatures.
What to bring
Light layers for daytime
Warm clothing for mornings and nights
Comfortable walking shoes
A light jacket
Sunscreen and sunglasses
A reusable water bottle
How to reach
Kangra Airport (Gaggal) is about 20 km away, usually 45-60 minutes by road.
Pathankot Railway Station is around 90 km away, usually 3-4 hours by road.
Taxi pickup can be arranged on request.
FAQs
Taking Your Pieces Home
Taking Your Pieces Home
The pieces you make during the retreat won’t be ready to take with you immediately, as they need time to dry and go through the firing and glazing process. At the end of the retreat, you can decide which pieces you’d like to keep. The selected pieces are then glazed and shipped to your address within 4–5 weeks. This comes at an additional cost of ₹700–₹1200 per piece, depending on the size. Taking your pieces home is completely optional. Most participants create around 7–10 pieces and usually select 3–5 or more to be finished and shipped.
Can someone who has never done pottery before attend?
Can someone who has never done pottery before attend?
Yes. This pottery retreat in Goa is beginner-friendly, and many participants join without any prior experience.
Can I come a day early or extend my stay after the retreat?
Can I come a day early or extend my stay after the retreat?
Yes, arriving early or extending your stay is possible, subject to availability and additional charges.
Can I join the retreat on my own?
Can I join the retreat on my own?
Yes. Many participants come solo. The retreat is designed to feel comfortable and welcoming for individual travellers.
Is the retreat very structured or flexible?
Is the retreat very structured or flexible?
The retreat follows a gentle daily rhythm rather than a strict timetable, allowing space for both learning and rest.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Cancellations made 60 days or more before the retreat start-date are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations within 60 days are non-refundable. One-time rescheduling is allowed up to 14 days before the retreat, subject to availability. Seat transfers are permitted up to 7 days before the retreat.
Can I take home the pieces I make during the retreat?
Can I take home the pieces I make during the retreat?
Yes. You can choose the pieces you'd like to keep. As pottery needs time to dry, be fired, and glazed, pieces won't be ready to take home immediately after the retreat. We can glaze and ship your selected pieces to your address for an additional charge.