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This summer, we are back with our Muddy Mountain Retreat, a 5 Night - 6 Day, immersive experience, including pottery, nature and forest walks in the hills. Slow mornings, muddy hands, long conversations, shared meals, creating with intention, and taking a small pause from the rush of everyday life - if this sounds like something you're interested in, you have come to the right place!


The retreat is designed to be an experiential vacation, which will help you unwind and experience a new skill as well. 


22nd June to 27th June


Nomad Eco-Retreat, 

Himachal Pradesh


"Working with clay was not only alot of fun but very therapeutic. It was a meditative experience that left me feeling very centered."


Vidhi Chadha, Delhi



About the retreat


This year, our retreat is hosted at Nomad Eco-Retreat, which is an eco-conscious campsite and retreat space nestled within an apple orchard, surrounded by deodar forests and breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas. 


Here's what you can expect in your time here :
  • 5 days amidst the fresh mountain air of the Himalayas
  • Wake up to panoramic views of snow-capped peaks
  • Learn and explore pottery while creating your own unique ceramic pieces
  • Experience staying in swiss tents or beautiful mud cottages
  • Nourishing, organic, home-cooked meals
  • A traditional Himachali Dham evening with local live music
  • Optional morning nature walks and hikes through the forests
  • A warm community of like-minded people, conversations, and friendship


All-inclusive packages starting from ₹55,400 - for 5 nights and 6 days, accommodation, scrumptious meals, workshops, glazing, firing & shipping of your pieces.



Anumita began her pottery journey over 11 years ago and has been running her studio, A Clay Story, full-time for the past 7 years. Having spent much of her practice working independently, these retreats were born from a desire to connect with like-minded people, build a creative community, and, of course, find an excuse to escape to the mountains.


During the retreat, we will explore beginner-friendly pottery techniques such as coiling, pinching, slab building, along with some wheel throwing sessions. The idea of this retreat is to enjoy the process of creating more than focussing on perfection - to observe your surroundings, gather inspiration from nature, and make something joyfully with your own hands.


We have a limited number of pottery wheels, and wheel throwing can take time and practice to get comfortable with. Handbuilding techniques are far more beginner-friendly and equally rewarding, while wheel throwing is included as an additional experience for you to explore. You’ll have the opportunity to try both and discover what you enjoy most.


"Learning pottery against the backdrop of those serene hills was a healing experience. Beyond pottery, the retreat became a gathering of kindred spirits; we laughed, learned, and forged friendships that felt like they'd been years in the making."


Mounika Maddukeri, Hyderabad


From the previous batches...
This retreat is one of the highlights of my life over the last few years, and not just for pottery. It's mesmerizing to watch Anumita do her art, and despite having done two pottery workshops earlier, this is the first one where I truly grasped the basics. She's so patient and the days are so well planned that the whole experience was zen-like. I don't know if I'll retain the pottery skills, but we made friends for life here.. go ahead, take the plunge. It'll be a beautiful experience.


Varsha Agarwal, Mumbai



Accomodation & Food


At Nomad Eco-Retreat you’ll have the option to stay in either a Swiss tent or a mud cottage, depending on availability (allotted on a first come, first served basis). Both stay options are available on twin-sharing as well as single-occupancy. All cottages and tents come with an attached bathroom.


Since the property is set across a mountainous terrain, there are quite a few steps and uneven pathways throughout the space. We highly recommend carrying comfortable walking shoes. 


Meals during the retreat will be simple and nourishing - celebrating seasonal, local produce. All meals are served communally in the warmth of the dining hall by the fireplace. 

*Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies— our chefs are skilled at accommodating you, but we do need 2 week notice to source alternative supplies as we are in a remote location.


While we’d love for you to disconnect and fully soak in the stillness of the Himalayas, broadband Wi-Fi is available in the café and lounge area should you need to occasionally catch up on work or stay connected.



Who is this retreat for? Do I need prior pottery experience?

No prior experience with clay is needed. The sessions are designed to be relaxed, immersive, and accessible to complete beginners.


Can I become a full-time potter after this?
Not in just one week! And that’s not really the intention of this retreat. Muddy Mountain Workshop is designed as an experiential vacation: a chance to slow down, reconnect with creativity, and experience pottery in a meaningful way. If you’re interested in pursuing pottery more seriously, either professionally or as a long-term hobby, we’d recommend enrolling in a longer 3–6 month course afterwards. This retreat can simply be the beginning of that journey.


I will be travelling solo...will it be comfortable?

Yes! Ofcourse, all our participants in the past have travelled solo and left with a new set of friends. We will help you plan your travel taking that pressure off you.


Will it be very physically taxing? I want a vacation

The aim is to guide you as you create something on your own. You work at your own pace and how much ever you want to, it is a retreat or an experiential vacation not a "class" :)



Itinerary


Day 1 | 22nd June

Arrival. You get settled and rested. After our evening chai and snacks, we'll unwind, have a round of introductions and a basic orientation.


Day 2-3-4-5 | 23rd June - 26th June
Our mornings would begin with a hike/walk (optional, ofcourse). We begin our pottery workshops after breakfast and work till the evening.
  • Day 2 & 3 are for exploring different techniques and getting a hang of the material
  • Day 4 & 5 we will work on our final pieces together that we'll keep to fire. We will all then pick our favourite pieces to keep and recycle the rest.
You can each decide to keep 3-4 pieces that you have made in your time with us. The pieces will be fired and lovingly shipped to you all - typically 5-7 weeks afte rthe retreat.


Day 6 | 27th June
Departure after breakfast.




We only have 2 spots left! Book yours soon. You can write to us at +918800262569 or hello@aclaystory.com to book or with any questions you may have.



Hear from our previous batch :

The pottery experience was one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had. I came back with my heart full. Anumita was wonderful throughout. She made everyone feel at ease. Working with clay was not only alot of fun but very therapeutic. It was a meditative experience that left me feeling very centered. Anumita's presence and expertise made all the difference.
I highly recommend this to those who are looking for connection with others and themselves 

Vidhi Chadha, Therapist

Anumita's pottery retreat in the hills was a true oasis of calm and creativity for me. In just five days, I not only learned the basics of pottery but also discovered a profound love for the craft, all thanks to her patient guidance and infectious passion. Beyond pottery, the retreat became a gathering of kindred spirits; we laughed, learned, and forged friendships that felt like they'd been years in the making.
For me, learning pottery against the backdrop of those serene hills was more than just a hobby; it was a healing experience. At a time when I needed it most, the tranquility and the beauty of the surroundings offered solace and inspiration.
Mounika

Mounika Maddukeri,

Entrepreneur

5 days of complete solitude while learning pottery overlooking the hills. Anumita is patient and so passionate about pottery and it inevitably rubs off on you. Best part is the pottery studio with a gorgeous view. The property is in levels and there is a lot of walking, so would recommend carrying good shoes.You have to take any plastic waste you bring, back with you as it’s an eco friendly property.

10/10 would recommend!

Yukti Gupta, Graphic Designer



The retreat will be held at

NOMAD ECO-RETREAT, GALLU

HIMACHAL PRADESH


22nd June - 27th June


We only host this once a year and to keep the group intimate, we have limited seats. The ticket price includes your accomodation, all meals, pottery workshops, firing and shipping of your pieces after the workshop and overall amazing vibes!

Swiss Tents, Twin Sharing Rs. 55,400/-

Mud Cottages, Twin Sharing Rs. 60,800/-


Swiss Tents, Single Occupancy Rs. 66,000/-

Mud Cottages, Single Occupancy Rs. 75,000/-


You can either book your spot through the link below or write to us at +918800262569 or hello@aclaystory.com to book or with any questions you may have.



ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!!

How to reach?


The campsite is located on a drive-in metalled road, only 15 km away from Shimla. Here is how you can get there

By Air: Fly to Chandigarh Airport, and take a taxi from there (approx 3.5 - 4 hours)

By Rail: Take a train to Chandigarh or Kalka, and a taxi from there. Travel time is similar from both places, about 3.5 - 4 hours

By Bus: Take a Volvo to Shimla, and a taxi from there to Camp (approximately 45 minutes)

By Road: Follow the Google Map below, and take the left turn to Mashobra-Bekhalti Road from Kufri Fun World, then look for Camp on your right after about 3.5 km. The drive from Delhi will take approx 8 hours, or 3.5-4 hours from Chandigarh, or 45 minutes from Shimla.



*Please note travel to and from the property is not included in the ticket price

**Once we receive all confirmations, we will help you plan your travel in a way that all the participants can book a cab together from the airport / station. This will help you get to know each other and also split the cab fare. We will also connect you to local cab drivers.
Payment Terms & Cancellation Policy


- We need a 50% advance to block your seat and the remaining 50% by 5th June

- In case of any cancellation before 31st May, 70% of your booking amount can be refunded

- In case of any cancellation before 10th June, 50% of your booking amount can be refunded

- There shall be no refund, if you cancel after 10th June


Meet your hosts

Nomad Eco-Retreat is led by writer, teacher, and potter, Aditi Rao.
Aditi is a widely published, award-winning author. She also a passion for designing physical spaces that are vibrant and invite community and connection.


Aditi is supported in this endeavour by her partner Amit, who has a long-standing love affair with the outdoors, and 3 decades of experience working in high altitudes and extreme climatic conditions. 

Meet your facilitator

Anumita’s creative journey started young. Every summer as a kid, she dabbled in various arts & crafts, from calligraphy to glass painting to origami.
Over the last decade she has grown from learning pottery to running her brand full time. Her work has featured in Vogue, GoodHomes, Elle and can be seen in various resturants and cafes around India.


As an introvert, she finds these retreats the best way to build community and meet like minded people.