Journey to the Self – A Luxury Yoga Retreat with TACTACK & Studio X
Journey to the Self – A Luxury Yoga Retreat with TACTACK & Studio X
September 21 at 7am to September 27 at 7PM
Call 0311 025 3117 for details on various payment packages
September 21 at 7am to September 27 at 7PM
Call 0311 025 3117 for details on various payment packages
Subject to the endless commitments and obligations that our city life entails, the time necessary for self-reflection eludes most of us.
And yet, beyond the relentless motion of life in the encapsulating metropolis of Karachi, there is always a space and time in which your limitless potential for self-discovery can be actualised.
This coming September, eco-friendly adventure tour company TACTACK will be collaborating with Yoga and fitness gurus Studio X to take you on their second Luxury Yoga Retreat: a week long, ladies only ‘Journey to the Self’ in the mountainous regions of Baltistan, from the heart of Shigar Valley to the historic city of Khaplu in Ghanche District. Surrounded by breathtaking views, exotic flora and fauna and an impressive range of ancient heritage sites, your time will be spent focused on yourself and the attainment of an internal balance and alignment that comes with daily meditation, pristine natural surroundings, healthy meals and the Asana Practices of Yoga.
This is your ultimate opportunity to truly disconnect.
This is your ultimate opportunity to truly disconnect.
On Friday, September 20th, after the brief flights from Karachi to Islamabad to Skardu, you will take the 18 mile drive North from Skardu deep into a lush, vibrant valley that encompasses the ancient village of Shigar, travelling directly to the original 17th century Raja Fort Palace.
Day 1
Arrival
Decimated centuries ago by the Mughal’s, the fort was ultimately rebuilt atop a giant boulder before its recent restoration, and is aptly named Fong Khar – ‘Palace on the Rock’. It has been converted into the Serena Shigar Fort, with artefacts on display, fantastic dining options and luxurious accommodations. The restoration into an amalgamation of ancient architecture and contemporary comforts makes this beautiful heritage hotel the ideal location to start your luxury retreat.
- After check-in, room allocations, a meal and a welcome gathering, you will be introduced to your Yogis.
- Accompanied by Jeannette Faruque, Studio X’s owner, head trainer and one of the pioneers of Power Yoga in Pakistan, and Selena Taqi, Co-Founder of both YogaX and The Ultimate Detox, your retreat will be facilitated by passionate experts of the discipline and long-time advocates of the spiritual journey towards acceptance and growth.
- Complete with yogi healing tea, a pre-sunset stroll around your immediate surroundings, BBQ dinner and a bonfire, your first night will have you all set to begin your own journey into the self.
Day 2
Gratitude
Day 2 and 3 of your luxury yoga retreat will be spent in Shigar Valley. At 8:30 AM, you will start the first of your daily meditations, anchoring yourself in the present. There will be a subsequent ‘Pranayama’ & yoga practice for over an hour, focused on poses and breathing techniques. After breakfast, you will engage in a collective chanting and ‘Satsang’ session – key components of yoga consisting of mantra chanting that will deepen your meditative experience.
- Before and after lunch, you will have plenty of time for inspirational readings and reflective journaling. A full range of amenities will also be on offer, including spa services, detox scrubs and luxurious massages.
- After lunch, you will embark on a guided tour of Shigar Fort itself, learning fascinating historical knowledge as you travel up to the old fort wall for another meditation.
- In the evening, there will be an hour long Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga session that will increase your flexibility, improve your posture, release any stress and cultivate a prolonged state of deep relaxation. A ‘Divine Dinner’ will have you ready for a restful sleep.
Day 3
Mindfulness
Your morning will follow the same therapeutic routine. You will wake up to a brief meditation followed by Pranayama and Yoga, engage in group chanting and Satsang after breakfast and then take time to yourself to read, write or receive wonderful detoxifying scrubs and massages.
- After lunch, you will head over to the mysterious Jarboso Lake (or Zharba Tso Lake), also known as the Blind Lake.
- You will have time to swim and boat in clear water fed directly by fresh water springs. There will be a beautiful sunset trek before you return to your fort residence. After dinner, the group will be served herbal tea as they watch a range of inspirational videos.
Day 4
Half Day of Silence – Self Acceptance
All your activities for the first half of the day will be carried out in a deep, contemplative silence.
After the standard morning meditation, Pranayama and Yoga session and a final ‘blissful breakfast’ in Shigar Fort, you will leave towards a region containing the valley of the Shyok River and its administrative town, Khapalu (or Khaplu).
- Somewhere along the journey from Shigar Valley to Khaplu, the group silence will be broken with loving words and a picnic lunch stop amidst the overwhelming beauty of the Mantokha Waterfall and its serene surroundings. After the brief stop, you will continue the magnificent road trip until arrival in Khaplu.
- With an expanse of Tibetan-Style homes ascending as far as the eye can see all the way from the river banks deep into the mountains, you will immediately find yourself at an incredible vantage point overlooking the entirety of the valley. The ancient Rajas of Khapalu had built a palace with the spectacular view in mind, and it’s very recent restoration into the Serena Khaplu Palace has made it a truly remarkable site of culture and heritage – an intact remnant of former Baltistan royalty. Described as a ‘spiritual sanctuary’, you will spend the rest of your day and the following two residing at the former royal residence.
Day 5
Love
Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga, Breakfast, Chanting and Satsang, massages, scrubs, reading and journaling time – all in the fresh new surroundings of the palace. You will find yourself in control of your attention, already refreshed by the preceding days and manifesting a state of uninterrupted flow.
- The surrounding area is home to more age old heritage sites, including the 700 year old Mosque of Chaqchan – a brilliant combination of Persian, Tibetan and Kashmiri architecture, and one of the oldest in the region.
- After lunch, you will embark on a magnificent trek up to another fascinating heritage site – Thoqsikhar Masjid. The name Thoqsikhar is a reference to the mosques location at the pinnacle of a rock, with awe-inspiring, panoramic views of the valley (‘Thoqsi’ means rooftop or high place and ‘Khar’ means fort). The masjid actually used to be a high fort: an ancient seat belonging to a ruling family of Khaplu called the Yagbos (or Yabghus), with 4 century old ruins of the castle still visible today.
- The combined peace and serenity of the area will truly make this trek in many ways one of the highest points of your journey. An early evening Yin Yoga session and a meditation under the setting sun will cap off your second last night in this natural paradise.
Day 6
Understanding the Self, & Forgiveness
Your last day will begin with all the familiar rituals, designed to boost your physical and mental well being and nourish your soul for days to come. Each discipline that your Yogi’s take you through have far reaching, scientifically proven benefits that will last beyond your time on this luxury retreat.
- After your last morning meditation, Pranayama and Yoga practice and Chanting and Satsang, you will spend an hour and a half writing messages of positivity – to both yourself and others.
- Following your own cathartic writing process, the group will engage in a ‘Chakra Meditation’, focusing on the flow of spiritual energy centered within your body. There will be a final ‘divine dinner’, a ‘Letting go’ ceremony, and ultimately a ‘Goodbye circle’ bonfire.
Day 7
The Journey Home
From Khaplu to Skardu to Islamabad to Karachi, you will soon be back in the same booming, bustling metropolis before nightfall. But your transformative journey will be complete before your flight.
Sanya, who took part in last years journey, swears the pre-travel booklets with itinerary details could never do justice to the life-changing nature of the retreat. Experiencing her own state of uninterrupted flow and a total disconnection from the distant reality of city life, she vividly describes stepping into a microcosm outside of time, where the space of pristine nature and serenity became her own.
- The Baltistan region holds a myriad of Pakistan’s gems – endless valleys, looming glaciers, high altitude lakes and rivers and tributaries and wildlife, all in the backdrop of thunderous mountains. This is a journey of immersion into paradise, in which practice of the ancient tradition of yoga will unlock your most authentic self.
If you want to join TACTACK and Studio X on this incredible luxury retreat, call 0311 025 3117 for details. Make sure to register before May 21st to receive an early bird discount on your journey!
