Solo Retreat Cabins at Tara Mandala

A solo retreat at Tara Mandala offers time-out from daily life in a wild, spacious landscape dedicated to spiritual practice. Here you can step away from constant input, reconnect with your own mind and heart, and receive the support of a living Buddhist retreat center.

Tara Mandala’s off-grid cabins sit on 700 acres of forest and meadows outside Pagosa Springs, Colorado, between 7,600 and 8,100 feet in elevation. Each cabin is simple, rustic, and fully set up for retreat, with heat, a basic kitchen, and space for meditation and movement practice. You bring your practice, your food, and your intention; we provide a secluded refuge and retreat support.

Solo retreats are available for as little as three nights and as long as a year or more, for both new and experienced practitioners. Many people come when they feel overextended, stuck, or called to deepen their spiritual path.

Why Choose a Solo Retreat at Tara Mandala?

A solo retreat at Tara Mandala offers time-out from daily life in a wild, spacious landscape dedicated to spiritual practice. Here you can step away from constant input, reconnect with your own mind and heart, and receive the support of a living Buddhist retreat center.

Tara Mandala’s off-grid cabins sit on 700 acres of forest and meadows outside Pagosa Springs, Colorado, between 7,600 and 8,100 feet in elevation. Each cabin is simple, rustic, and fully set up for retreat, with heat, a basic kitchen, and space for meditation and movement

practice. You bring your practice, your food, and your intention; we provide a secluded refuge and retreat support. Solo retreats are available for as little as three nights and as long as a year or more, for both new and experienced practitioners. Many people come when they feel overextended, stuck, or called to deepen their spiritual path.

Is a Solo Retreat Right for You?

Solo retreat can be powerful medicine, but it is not the right fit for every situation. You may be a good fit for a Tara Mandala cabin retreat if:

• You have an established spiritual or contemplative practice.
• You can spend extended time alone in silence.
• You are comfortable with rustic conditions (outhouse, no running water, wood heat) or feel ready to learn.
• You want to deepen meditation, prayer, study, or creative work in a quiet setting.
• You are physically able to walk short distances on uneven ground and live at higher altitude.

If this will be your first solitary retreat, we recommend starting with seven days or fewer. For longer retreats, we suggest having an ongoing relationship with a spiritual teacher or mentor, and for some longer stays this support may be required.

If you are unsure whether a solo retreat is appropriate for your health or mental well-being, please consult your healthcare provider and, when possible, your teacher before applying.

Overview of the Retreat Cabins

We currently offer solo retreat cabins:

• Karuna
• Two Trees
• Luminous Peak
• Ratna
• Prajnaparamita

All cabins are:

• Off-grid and self-contained.
• Located in secluded areas of the land with natural beauty and solitude.
• Equipped with a basic kitchen, bed and bedding, wood stove, solar lighting, and an outhouse or composting toilet.

Each cabin has its own character. Below is a brief overview to help you sense which might be right for you.

Karuna

Karuna is a cozy wooden cabin of approximately 200 square feet tucked into a south-facing slope on the northern ridge of Tara Mandala. It overlooks Ekajati Peak and the New Zhitro Temple and has a wraparound deck that is ideal for yoga, sitting practice, or simply resting in nature.

Inside, Karuna includes:

• Twin bed with bedding.
• Wood-burning stove for heat, with firewood stored in a nearby shed.
• Simple kitchen with a four-burner propane stove, cookware, utensils, cooler with ice packs, and filtered water.
• Limited solar power for basic lighting and small devices.
• An outhouse with expansive views over the land.

There is enough open floor space for yoga, tai chi, or other movement practice. Karuna is especially well suited for longer retreats if you are comfortable with a short, steep uphill walk.

Access: Steep 1/3-mile uphill trail that may be snowy, muddy, or icy depending on the season. When road conditions allow, our Solo Retreat Manager assists with transport of you and your gear to and from the trailhead.

Prajnaparamita

Prajnaparamita is a newer quaint and serene cabin situated closer to the main areas of Tara Mandala, making it easier to access than some of the more remote sites. There is no hiking required to reach the cabin, even in winter, which can make it a good choice for those with mobility concerns.

The cabin includes:

• Twin bed with bedding.
• Wood stove for heat and a covered wood shed.
• Two-burner countertop propane stove and a minimally equipped kitchen.
• Water source with a Berkey filter and bottled filtered water.
• Cooler and ice packs in place of a refrigerator.
• Solar electricity for lights and small devices.
• A composting toilet and a wraparound porch for outdoor practice.

The porch offers space for meditation, yoga, and quiet time in fresh air. Prajnaparamita is a good option if you want relative ease of access while still having privacy and silence.

Two Trees

Two Trees is nestled on the south slope of the northern ridge among tall Ponderosa pines, at a somewhat higher elevation. Retreatants often describe it as “the perfect size” for solo practice, with a cozy interior and powerful mountain views.

Two Trees includes:

• Twin bed with bedding.
• Fully outfitted kitchen with a four-burner propane stove, cookware, utensils, and ample filtered water.
• Wood stove for heating, with firewood provided.
• Limited solar power for lights and device charging.
• Cooler with reusable ice packs (no refrigerator).
• Outhouse with a wide view of the surrounding landscape.
• Two outdoor meditation platforms for practice in nature.

Access: Steep 1/2-mile uphill trail that can be snowy, icy, or muddy depending on the season. In dry conditions, staff assist with transport to the cabin upon arrival. This cabin is best for those who are comfortable with a moderate hike and higher altitude.

Luminous Peak

Luminous Peak is one of our smaller and recently remodeled cabins, with nearly 180-degree views that fully live up to its name. At just over 100 square feet, it is simple, intimate, and ideal for focused personal practice.

Luminous Peak features:

• Twin bed with bedding.
• Wood-burning stove for warmth.
• Countertop propane stove and basic kitchen setup for simple cooking.
• Outdoor sink with running water
• Solar electricity for lighting and small devices.

• Electric cooler
• Its own water source with a good filter.
• Compost toilet 
• A south-facing deck with expansive views that is excellent for meditation and sitting outside in warmer weather.

Access: When roads are muddy or snowy, the hike in is less than 1/4 mile, making this a good choice if you prefer a shorter walk with your gear.

Ratna

Ratna is the largest and most remote solo retreat cabin at Tara Mandala that has also undergone renovation, set on a hillside overlooking what is known as the “Secret Valley”. It offers profound stillness and uninterrupted solitude for deep practice.

Ratna includes:

• Approximately 350 square feet of interior space.
• Twin bed with bedding.
• Several meditation seats, including one at a full-length window facing the valley and another before a traditional altar.
• Fully equipped kitchen with a four-burner propane stove and oven, cookware, and plenty of filtered water, plus a cooler with ice packs.
• Wood stove for heat.
• Limited solar electricity for lights and device charging.

Large windows on three sides bring in natural light and mountain views, making it ideal for long-term retreatants.

Access: About a 1/2-mile steep and winding walk downhill that can become challenging in winter. Ratna is generally not accessible between November and May unless you are a very experienced and prepared winter hiker. During dry conditions, staff can assist with transportation to the cabin for your arrival.

Retreat Length, Pricing, and What’s Included

Solo retreats can range from a few nights to a year or more, depending on your capacity and intention. Stays of three nights are available over a weekend, with longer minimums during winter and early spring mud season.

Retreat Length

• Minimum stay: 3 nights over a weekend, or 7 nights during winter and periods of severe mud. All retreats start and end on a Friday or Monday.
• Recommended stay for first-time retreatants: up to 7 days.
• Long-term retreats: up to 6 months or more, with decreasing monthly rates for extended stays.

For retreats longer than one week, guidance or permission from a spiritual teacher is suggested and sometimes required. We also encourage you to have your own teacher or spiritual guide for extended practice.

What’s Included

Retreat fees include:

• Cabin rental.
• Fuel (wood and propane).
• Retreatant support, including weekly grocery shopping for stays longer than one week.
• Basic retreat supplies, such as filtered water and fresh ice packs for your cooler.

Food itself is not included. You bring your own food and supplies, and for long-term stays staff will shop locally using your list, with you covering the cost of groceries.

Sample Cost Structure

Rates vary based on length of stay. A typical structure includes:

• 3–5 nights: nightly rate.
• 7 nights to one month: reduced nightly rate.
• 1–6 months: monthly rate.
• 6–12 months: lower monthly rate for long-term retreatants.

Tara Mandala Members at the Friend level (30 dollars per month) or above receive discounted rates. For specific dates and current pricing, please visit our website or contact our Registrar.

What to Expect on the Land

Tara Mandala is located in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, at elevations between 7,600 and 8,100 feet. Weather is dynamic and can shift quickly through sun, snow, wind, and afternoon thunderstorms.

In general:

• Winters can be very cold, with snow and temperatures often below freezing.
• Spring and fall can bring mud, late frosts, and sudden storms.
• Summers are warm to hot during the day with cool nights, and afternoon storms are common in late summer and early fall.

Life on the land is quiet and spacious. The cabins are remote, with no maintained hiking trails; you can walk on the main dirt and gravel roads and approved paths, observing posted guidelines for safety. Wildlife such as birds, deer, coyotes, snakes, and black bears also live here, and we provide clear protocols for safe, respectful coexistence.

Because all cabins are off-grid:

• There is no running water in the cabins.
• Some t cabins have an outdoor spigot with water from our deep welland a Berkey filter water filter systemand bottled filtered water provided.
• You use a cooler with ice packs instead of a refrigerato and some Cabins offer an electric cooler.Bathing is done with solar shower bags, camp showers, or boiled water in basins.
• All cabins have an outhouse or composting toilet.
• Solar power supports lights and small electronic devices; high-wattage appliances such as hair dryers or electric kettles are not supported.

Phones, Internet, and Digital Detox

Phone reception on the land is variable. Many cabins do have some cell service, but it can fluctuate with weather and carrier. There is no Wi-Fi access for solitary retreatants.
You are welcome to:

• Use your phone for scheduled check-ins with your teacher or support person.
• Listen to recorded teachings or practice instructions on your device.

We ask that you refrain from streaming, browsing, or general media consumption unless it is directly related to your retreat, so that you can fully benefit from the rare opportunity to unplug.

Basic Safety and Altitude Considerations

Living with wildlife, high elevation, and rustic conditions requires some preparation and care.

Key points include:

• Keep garbage and food securely stored inside your cabin to avoid attracting animals.
• Use the provided bear bell, horn, and spray when walking on the land.
• Wear sturdy footwear and bring layers for quickly changing mountain weather.
• Expect to walk on uneven ground, potentially through mud, snow, or ice, especially during arrival and departure.

All cabins sit at high altitude (7,600 to 8,000 feet). If you live near sea level, it may take 5–10 days to fully acclimate; in the early days you might notice less energy, headaches, or sleep changes. It helps to:

• Drink more water than usual for several days before arrival and during your stay.
• Rest as needed and allow time for your body to adjust.
• Arrive in Colorado a day early when possible so you can acclimate and complete any last-minute shopping before going on retreat.

How to Reserve a Solo Retreat Cabin

1. Read the Cabin Information

Please read this page and the detailed cabin descriptions so you have a clear sense of what to expect: rustic conditions, trail access, high altitude, and the level of solitude offered. Consider your physical health, emotional state, and support network to ensure that a solo retreat is appropriate at this time.

2. Apply Online

All registrations are completed online through our application form. You can indicate:

• Preferred dates that begin/end on a Friday or Monday.
• Desired cabin(s).

• Length of retreat.
• Any relevant practice background.

Your application will be reviewed, and a staff member will follow up regarding availability, fit, and any questions.

3. Confirm and Pay Deposit

Once approved, you will receive payment information. To hold your place:

• For retreats, a deposit equal to half of your retreat fee is due within 10 days of acceptance.
• The remaining balance is due at least 30 days before your retreat begins.

There is a written cancellation policy with timelines and fees, which will be clearly outlined in your confirmation materials.

4. Arrival and Departure Windows

To support orientation and logistics, check-in and check-out occur only on specific days and times:

• Check-in: Mondays and Fridays, between 2:00 and 3:30 pm.
• Check-out: Mondays and Fridays, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.

When you arrive, a Tara Mandala staff member will greet you, orient you to the land and your cabin, and transport you and your gear as close as conditions allow. In winter or muddy months, you may need to hike 1/4 to 1/2 mile with your belongings; a sled may be available for hauling gear in snowy conditions.

On departure, you will arrange a specific pick-up time with the retreatant care manager. In snowy or muddy conditions you may need to carry your gear back to the designated meeting point on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions