Our Center

Overview of facilities

The Vrikshalaya Centre consists of 3 buildings in 2 acres of Himalayan landscape, on the edge of the forest with lovely walks. We are not a hotel, spa, or an ashram, but a Himalayan home for mindfulness practitioners of all backgrounds.

The centre consists of:

The Cottage
The cottage has 3 rooms, each room has it's own attached bath and toilet. Sukh (Cosy) and Shanti (Peace) are on the upper level and Anand (Bliss) is on the lower ground level. All rooms have separate entrances and en suite bathrooms.

- Ground floor: A bigger room called Anand, with kitchenette. Anand has 3 beds and is large enough to comfortably accommodate 2 extra beds. It has attached en suite bathoom, kitchenette and a sitting area. There are facilities for cooking, including utensils.
- First floor: Two rooms, Sukh (Cosy) and Shanti (Peace).
Sukh has 3 beds and can easily accommodate two more beds. It is connected to Shanti through a door in case families and friends want to share 2 rooms. Otherwise it is a completely independent room with a separate entrance. Shanti has 2 beds and can accommodate two more comfortably.

The Main Hall
In a second building there is the main Hall with an adjacent guest room.

The Courtyard
A large stone courtyard includes a meditation circle with a life-sized statue of the Buddha. There are several seating places with stone benches and a wood fired oven in a traditional outdoor kitchen. This is a communal space where we meet, eat and drink chai!

The Library
A third buildings holds the library and art space.

Optional home-stays
FCN and Vrikshalaya also run residential courses on Resilient Leadership and Mountain Resiliency already working with NOLS, Western State University, and Princeton Bridge Programmes. These Students and other visitors also have the option to stay with host families in Reuni Village located 15 minutes walk away, offering an ideal opportunity for service-learning and cultural immersion, where they can learn what a traditional lifestyle looks like.

Weather
Summer and Monsoon months are warm to pleasant during the day and cool at night. Light sweater, water proof jacket and hiking shoes recommended. Winter months are cold during the day and night. Woollens and jackets necessary.

For a list of our tariffs please download the PDF on Contact Page or What We Offer page.

Whether you are interested in a weekend retreat, a day trip, workshops, longer residencies or group courses, accommodation can be arranged to fit your needs. You can also volunteer individually or as part of a group or simply rent our venue for your own program. Please see What We Offer page. 

Outdoor & Adventure Tourists

• Outdoor youth associations hosting travel programs
• Solo, couple or group travellers interested in deepening their practice, being in touch with nature and a quiet residence for  sightseeing historical sights
• Retired active people, nature lovers, hikers. 
• Holiday makers of all kinds, including families with children
  
• Young travellers on a gap year

Volunteer/ NGO Tourism

• Independent volunteers interested in resilient communities and organic agriculture
• Company groups interested in CSR, team-building and sustainability
• Researchers; anthropologists and ecologists

Spiritual Tourism, Meditation & Yoga

• Yoga and meditation students and practitioners of all levels
  
• Individuals interested in personal transformation through nature and meditation
• Yoga teachers hosting yoga retreat
• Restful retreats as resilience

Educational Tourism

• Schools, universities, personal research
• Student and professional groups interested in Resiliency, Team-building, Leadership
• Student and professional groups interested in rural living and mountain resiliency
• Student and professional groups interested in outdoor tourism and eco-tourism
  

Creative Retreats

• Artists and writers seeking 1-3-month residency program.
  The Artists’ Studio is a two-floor self-contained building. Each floor is 12 square meters.
  We welcome applications for long term guests (6 weeks -6 months) such as Writers, Researchers, Artists, Designers and Artisans who are looking for a quiet and creative retreat. Please send your application and proposed program to ajayras@gmail.com. Please include your name, nationality, a PDF presentation of your work, any links, CV, and proposed project details (less than 600 words).
  
• Senior citizens gap year.
  This is an ideal location for retired people interested in outdoor activities to come and stay for a gap year in their retirement. Your gap year can be designed according to your needs and interests. We are flexible – but we especially welcome applications for long term senior guests (1-3 months) who are interested in cultural exchange. We believe you have a lot to bring to us by taking part in village life. By residing at the center, you get the chance to learn about Mindful Contemplation of Nature, spend time in nature, see everything the region has to offer, and even volunteer at the local village school and join in village activities. You will have your own studio flat or self-contained room, with adjoining bathroom, and a small area for making tea and coffee and preparing simple meals on your own, in addition to the vegetarian breakfast and evening meal included in your stay made by ladies from the village!