4-Day Shukubo Meditation & Yoga Retreat in Guatapé, Colombia

At La Casa de Loto, retreat life is intentionally simple. Rather than packing the days with activities and talks, the schedule gives you a rhythm to settle into. Mornings start with a two-hour Hatha yoga and pranayama session, followed by a silent breakfast. A guided open awareness meditation anchors the middle of the day, and the evening wraps with another guided meditation. Noble silence runs until 2 p.m. each day, and it's perfectly fine to keep quiet the whole stay if that's what you want.

The setting does a lot of the work. The retreat sits on a hillside overlooking Piedra del Peñol, surrounded by gardens, a mountain creek, and forest. Cabins are tucked among the trees, and there's a yoga deck and a sauna. Between sessions you're free to hike, join an optional evening fire, book a massage or reiki, or just take a cold plunge in the creek. With a maximum of ten guests, you'll never be part of a crowd.

The man behind it is Pema, a Buddhist meditation teacher with fifteen years of practice in the Dzogchen tradition. He studied with the Dalai Lama and other masters, and he built this place to bring the feel of a Tibetan temple stay to a smaller, more accessible setting. The program is real contemplative practice, but it's offered with a light touch—teachers are available when you want guidance and happy to give you space when you don't.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments (massage, reiki, sauna) - Additional activities not included in the itinerary