dharamkot studio
5-Day Pottery Retreats in India

Pottery Retreat in Himachal Pradesh

Mountains Hold Space For Reflection And Art

Reserve Your Seat
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 curious about making pottery or art – this retreat is for you.

Making pottery is to quiet mental noise, build patience, and experience the satisfaction of creating something with you hands.
Being in nature and following a gentle rhythm allows you to return feeling clearer, more grounded, and more connected to yourself.
When you slow down, give it attention, and begin to practice, you may surprise yourself, not just with what you create, but with how it makes you feel.

What Your Days Will Look Like

Days revolve around the pottery studio; you’ll spend time here working with clay, learning the basics through practice and creating at your own pace.

Designed for beginners – in this retreat program, you will learn all the aspects of making pottery and working with the clay.
It will include basics of wheel throwing, different techniques of hand building and surface decoration, you will learn all these things during the process of making you own pottery pieces.
Ficilitators will be there thorughout the sessions to guide you.

Mornings include gentle activities like yoga, meditation or nature walk.
Evenings are intentionally open. You can connect with others, step out to explore nearby cafés or local spots on your own, or take the time to rest.

Who attends this retreat

This retreat is attended by people who are looking to step away from their routine and spend a few days doing something meaningful for themselves.

Most participants are beginners—working professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs, or simply curious individuals who want to explore pottery, slow down, and reconnect with themselves.
Some come for the art, some for the break, and many for both.

It’s also common to meet solo travellers, couples, or friends—people who value a calm, thoughtful experience over a typical holiday

Retreat flow

Day 1 : 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.

Day 2,3,4 & 5 : 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, firing, and glazing) while creating your own art pieces as part of this pottery retreat in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from the pottery sessions, there will be nature walk, yoga/meditation sessions, and local sightseeing as part of the retreat program.

Day 6 : No activities are scheduled today. Enjoy a relaxed morning and heartfelt farewells after breakfast. Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

About the 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 cafés, and small guesthouses, shared by artists, long-term residents, and travellers.

Accomodation

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 cafés 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.

4+

Years of hosting

100+

Retreats hosted

800+

Participants

Schedule: 2026

May

1–6 (Sold Out)

8–13

15–20 (Sold Out)

22–27 (Sold Out)

29 – 3 June

June

5–10

12–17

19–24

26 – 1 July (Sold Out)

Sept

4–9

11–16

18–23

Oct

2–7

9–14

30–4 Nov

Pricing – Himachal Pradesh

Early Bird:
INR 57,250 + 18% taxes (Shared Room)
INR 68,500 + 18% taxes (Private Room)

Standard:
INR 62,970 + 18% taxes (Shared Room)
INR 75,350 + 18% taxes (Private Room)

Shared rooms are only available
for guests booking together.

Inclusions

5 nights accommodation
Toiletries
Packaged drinking water
Breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday
Pottery sessions
Half-day local tour
Yoga and meditation sessions
Art supplies / pottery materials

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.

Exclusions – Travel (airfare), Firing, glazing & shipping of your pieces, Personal expenses, Optional activities outside the retreat

FAQs

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.

Yes. This pottery retreat in India is beginner-friendly, and many participants join without any prior experience.

To make your experience smoother and more comfortable, we offer an extra night’s stay exclusively for retreat participants who wish to arrive a day earlier or extend their stay after the retreat.
Single occupancy: ₹3,150 per night (including taxes)
Double occupancy: ₹3,675 per night (including taxes)
If you plan to arrive on Thursday, please note that our studio remains closed for meals due to our weekly off, and the staff is on holiday.
If you choose to stay an extra night after the retreat (Wednesday), you’re welcome to dine at our in-house café by paying directly at the café.

You’ll learn the essentials of pottery through hands-on practice. It’s a strong starting point to understand the process and work confidently with clay, especially within the immersive setting of this mountain pottery retreat in India.

Yes. Many participants come solo. The retreat is designed to feel comfortable and welcoming for individual travellers.

The retreat follows a gentle daily rhythm rather than a strict timetable, allowing space for both learning and rest - an approach that aligns with slow living in the mountains.

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.

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.

Planning Your Visit

Weather:

March–April: Cool days and crisp nights. Spring brings clear skies and blooming forests - pleasant for studio time, walks, and outdoor meals during this pottery retreat in Himachal Pradesh.

May–June: Mild, comfortable days with cooler evenings. A great escape from the plains, ideal for long studio hours and relaxed mountain living.

September–October: Clear, fresh weather after the monsoon. Green landscapes, quieter trails, and stable temperatures make it one of the best times to be here.

What to Bring:

Light layers for the day, warm clothing for mornings and nights, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle.

How to Reach:

The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (Gaggal), about 20 km (45–60 minutes) from Dharamkot. Pathankot Railway Station is around 90 km (3–4 hours) away.

Taxis are easily available from the airport and railway station. We can also help arrange a pickup on request.

Pottery Retreat Schedule
Day 1 (Sunday) -

12:00 – 2:00 PM → Check-in at the retreat centre, settle into your cottages, lunch at the café, and rest

4:00 – 6:30 PM → Pottery session – Getting comfortable with clay & basics

7:30 PM → Dinner at the café and relaxation
Day 2 (Monday) –

8:30 – 9:30 AM → Light yoga & meditation

10:00 – 11:00 AM → Breakfast

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM → Pottery session – Hand-building (Pinching and coiling method)

2:00 – 4:00 PM → Lunch & rest

4:00 – 6:30 PM → Pottery session – Introduction to the Wheel

Evening → Explore nearby or enjoy dinner at the retreat centre
Day 3 (Tuesday) –

8:30 – 9:30 AM → Yoga & meditation

9:30 – 10:30 AM → Breakfast

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM → Pottery session – Texturing & Surface Decoration

2:00 – 3:30 PM → Lunch & rest

3:30 – 6:30 PM → Local exploration with a guide

Evening → Return to the retreat centre or continue exploring on your own
Day 4 (Wednesday) –

8:30 – 9:30 AM → Yoga & meditation

9:30 – 10:30 AM → Breakfast

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM → Pottery session – Hand-building

2:00 – 4:00 PM → Lunch & rest

4:00 – 6:30 PM → Pottery session – Wheel Throwing & Shaping

Evening → Explore nearby or have dinner at the retreat centre
Day 5 (Thursday) –

8:30 – 9:30 AM → Yoga, meditation & gentle nature walk

9:30 – 10:30 AM → Breakfast

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM → Final pottery session – Surface Decoration with Coloured Under-Glazes

2:00 PM onwards → Lunch — spend the rest of the day relaxing at the retreat centre or exploring nearby at your own pace. The retreat concludes here.
Day 6 (Friday) –

10:00 AM → Breakfast, Check-out and goodbyes — until we welcome you again, may this retreat stay with you.

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INCLUDEDNOT INCLUDED
5 nights accommodation, Room cleaning and linen change on Sunday (available on request on other days)

Toiletries (available on request)

Packaged mineral drinking water (for all days)

Breakfast and lunch every day, and dinner on Day 1

Vegan or gluten-free options available on request

Pottery sessions

Half day local tour

Yoga and meditation sessions

Art supplies / pottery materials
Airfare Taxi from/to the airport or studio

Alcohol or any other personal purchases/services during your stay

Courier charges for shipping the art pieces you create

Laundry

Bank fees, money exchange charges, or other payment charges

Any trips or plans not mentioned in the inclusions

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