MUSIC + THE BUDDHA
An immersive retreat into Singing, Yoga, Sound Healing & Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom
LADAKH - INDIA
15th – 24th August 2025
“Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure…It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
— Aretha Franklin
We invite you to seek your refuge in Music, dissolve into the spaces in between the musical notes and connect deeply with your SOUL.
As facilitators of your quest for a better version of YOU through the transformative power of Sound, Music+ Retreats welcomes you to Ladakh, India for MUSIC+ THE BUDDHA.
If you are looking:
To pour your heart into chanting & singing
To step on your mat each morning for yoga and pranayama as the sun rises over the stunning Himalayan mountains
To retreat into pristine nature for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation
To sit in the blessed presence of Tibetan Buddhist monks in the ancient monasteries and benefit your inner-self through non-dogmatic wisdom talks
Then YES, you are at the right spot and may continue reading….
We gather in Ladakh, the northern embrace of India which unfolds as a breathtaking spectacle, a high-altitude desert boasting rugged, awe-inspiring vistas, a treasury of vibrant cultural heritage, and an array of unparalleled adventures waiting to be explored.
This retreat is an invitation to immerse yourself in the vast spaciousness and stillness of the Himalayan mountain range, to connect on a deeper level with your spirit through meditation and Yogic practices, while being warmly welcomed by the traditional Ladakhi culture and colourful ancient monasteries. This deep 9 days intensive Retreat is based upon the inherent power of sound and voice as a transforming lifetime experience and discovery of a new ‘YOU’
We welcome you onboard if you are:
A Yoga Teacher/Therapist wanting to supplement your practices with the ancient Indian metaphysical system of Nāda Yoga – The Yoga of Sound.
A kirtan & chanting artist/enthusiast who wishes to dive deep into the rich sonic practices.
A sound healer/practitioner wanting to be saturated in, and to incorporate the therapeutic sounds inherent in Indian Classical music and Buddhist chants.
A Rāga/Music enthusiast wanting to understand and know more about the vast, rich and mysterious realm of the Indian Rāgas.
A singer who wishes to become more refined, technically sound and soulfully connected with the Music.
A seeker/traveller looking to embrace silence, music, pristine nature, and willing to discover or re-discover your voice and ‘yourself’.
A yogi, ready to lose yourself in the vast treasures of Tibetan Buddhism Wisdom in order ‘to find a New way’.
This deep 9 days intensive singing Retreat is based upon the inherent power of sound and voice as a transforming lifetime experience and discovery of a new ‘YOU’
The Journey
15th Aug -Day 1: Delhi to Leh. Arrival & welcome ceremony in our Hotel in Leh. Relax for acclimatization. Meet & Greet in the afternoon and a leisurely visit to the market of Leh. Overnight in our hotel in Leh.
16th Aug –Day 2: Early in the morning – Light Yogāsana, Thiksey Monastery Pujā, cultural visit to the Royal Palace of Shey, drive back to Leh for lunch and late afternoon at Śānti Stupa. Overnight in our hotel in Leh.
17th Aug - Day 3: Morning after breakfast, drive to our Retreat spot in Hemis Shukpachan via Liker Monastery and reach Togocheepa Eco Hotel. Welcome and lunch. In the afternoon, explore the secret garden and the scenic village of Hemis. Evening music session.
18th Aug - Day 4: 6:30-8:30 – Japa in the ‘Silent Valley’, Meditation, Nāda Yoga, Yogāsanas on the mat, followed by breakfast and break.
10:30-13:00 – Primary Lecture class, movements with Live music followed by lunch and free personal time to hang out in the Secret Garden.
15:30: Afternoon Yoga Nidra/Yin Yoga, music practice sessions ending with chanting and kirtans.
18:30: Dinner, followed by music sessions and good night!
19th Aug - Day 5: Much like Day 4 with village walks and visits to local places of interest.
20th Aug - Day 6: Trip to Alchi/ Manggu & Rizong Monastery along with Tibetan Buddhist wisdom talk by the monks. Evening dinner and music sessions in the hotel.
21st Aug - Day 7: Much like day 4 and inclusive of trek to the 1000 years old Dakmar Cave, meditation for some time and walk down to Juniper Garden.
22nd Aug - Day 8: Much like Day 4. Traditional Lunch in a local village home where Sonam (our host) will explain about local cultural dress and history of Ladakh. Open Mic Cultural evening.
23rd Aug – Day 9: Much like Day 4 with village walks and visits to local places of interest.
17:00 – Closing Circle followed by dinner and bonfire.
24th Aug - Day 10: Morning Practice followed by breakfast and Transport back to Leh.
Disclaimer: This itinerary could change depending upon group energy, logistical planning and weather conditions.
Your Teachers / Spaceholders
Sudhanshu Sharma
Sudhanshu is an internationally respected Indian Classical Musician and Vocal Teacher. A gold Medalist in Indian Classical Vocal Music, he will be leading the group and training you in the ancient Indian art of Nāda yoga and classical music. He has dedicated his life to the service of the Nādabrahma – the Sound God, and firmly believes in the therapeutic and life-enriching powers of sound. Having a vast experience of more than 15 years as a performer and teacher, Sudhanshu has performed and been teaching the transformational power of sound in retreats across the world. He has students all over the world who have richly benefitted from his practical curriculum and easy-going teaching tools.
Geeti & Gyan
Geeti & Gyan are a Sydney-based kirtan and conscious music duo who bring a joyful presence to their innovative fusion of mantra, heart songs, meditation, movement, yoga and sound healing to celebrate the beauty of the heart.
As multi instrumentalists, they love weaving together harmonium, guitar, flute, manjira, cahon and tabla into thier original blend of East-meets-West traditional kirtan and contemporary songs with uplifting English lyrics. In addition, Geeti & Gyan are both nāda yoga teachers and sound healers. Gyan is also an accredited Hatha yoga, Yoga Nidra and meditation teacher and Geeti a Soul Motion conscious dance and Kiryuho movement facilitator.
Their open-hearted and inclusive facilitation enables people to relax, let go and open to uninhibited expression, deep nourishment and peace. They offer regular kirtans, workshops and retreats. Geeti and Gyan have been music students of Sudhanshu Sharma for many years and have also been supporting and collaborating with him on retreats and workshops in Australia and overseas.
For more info and events: www.geetiandgyan.com
Our Focus
Our focus for 9 glorious days of fun-filled musical activity includes:
Learning to discover and explore our voice and its empowering possibilities under nurturing and supportive guidance.
Yogasanas, Yoga Nidra & Movement Meditation – to support and sustain harmony of body, mind and soul and of course, singing.
Establishing a well-defined curriculum for practice and workouts to create your ideal vocal health.
Cosmic sound activations – Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha and Ni – the seven primary notes of Indian Music.
Nāda Yoga – meditation through sound for Toning of the voice.
Working through vocal movements of Indian Music – Gamaks, Tāns Alankārs to improve flexibility of the singing voice.
Mantra Chanting and Kīrtan Singing
Singing morning Rāgas with the rising sun over the snow crest peaks and singing the night melodies along with the humming of crickets in the forest.
Excursion Trips – Thiksey Monastery, Royal Palace of Shey, Śānti Stūpa, Likir, Alchi and Ridzong Monasteries.
Village Treks in the rugged Himalayan ranges, nature walks in the village of Hemis Shukpachan.
The Venue
Togocheepa Eco Hotel, Hemis Shukpachan
Your home for 7 Musical days and Nights
Our Music+ The Buddha retreat has its main venue in the Togocheepa Eco Hotel nestled in the green mountain village of Hemis Schukpachan. A unique deluxe family based Hotel with limited amount of rooms to offer their guests, an authentic and first-hand experience with the Ladakhi culture, nature and village life. Togocheepa Eco Hotel is committed to preserve the traditional culture of the village and fragile ecosystem of Ladakh through minimising the impact of tourism. The hotel offers a delicious and yogic menu based on vegetables grown in their own organic garden, added by local vegetables, cheese, barley, juices and fruits from surrounding farmers. Our healthy and artisan meals are prepared with the uttermost care and devotion.
Vegan, gluten- and lactose free meals can be arranged. We will ask you for special requests after your booking.
Internet is still pretty unreliable in the village Hemis Schukpachan and we encourage a digital detox during your stay. The absence of internet and a mobile network is a beautiful opportunity to unplug from the digital world and immerse yourself fully into the retreat and explore your own inner world, silence and freedom of time.
It is here that you will traverse on a journey of re-discovering your magical voice, your Himalayan voice! It is here that you will rejoice, rejuvenate and renew.
The Joys & Pleasures
The joys and pleasures:
The sheer joy of being able to accomplish that song, that Rāga, that musical phrase/idea or dream, you have been holding close to your heart since long ago.
To manifest and become absorbed in the power of your own voice, hitherto unknown and undiscovered.
To be in the rejuvenating, silent and pristine surrounding of the Himalayas is such bliss and a dream-come-true.
To have an undisturbed, unabated, intense and rewarding musical practice (rarely practiced nowadays).
A reprieve from modern life with no phone calls, no emails, nothing but 9 glorious days of Music and Bliss!
The retreat becomes a rich exchange platform of cultures, tradition, ideas and perspectives with participants from vast territories and different walks of life.
The wonderful connections and friendships you will make with like-minded people from all over the world.
THE HEART OF SOUND TEACHER TRAINING COURSE
Combine this retreat with the Heart of Sound online Teacher Training in Mantra, Nada Yoga & Sound Healing. Count your workshop/retreat hours towards your teacher training requirements PLUS save 10% on the teacher training with the coupon code SUDHANSHU. Enter code upon checkout to adjust the price. Curious? Book a FREE training discovery call with the Heart of Sound team to chat about your options.
Inclusions & Pricing
THE RETREAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Accommodation in Leh on 15th & 16th August.
Travel expenses ex Leh along with inner line permit expenses.
7 nights’ accommodation at the Togocheepa Eco Hotel, Hemis Shukpachen with twin share/single rooms available (see pricing below)
Delicious vegetarian food (buffet meals): from Lunch on day 1 to Breakfast on day 9.
Beverages (herbal & Indian teas, coffee and water)
Excursion trips to monuments, monasteries and all entrance fees.
All Music, Yoga and Meditation class tuition: Raga Music, Cosmic Sound Activations, Yoga Postures, Meditation Practices, Yoga Nidra, Sound Healing sessions.
THE RETREAT DOES NOT COVER:
Your international round-trip flights.
Taxi fare from Leh Airport to the Hotel on 15th August(or the day you arrive)
Indian Visa costs.
Pre and Post retreat accommodation.
Beverages in addition to those above, laundry, incidentals, additional services, personal phone calls or other activities not already mentioned.
Tips for drivers (when not on group-arranged transportation), porters, housekeeping, resort and restaurant staff.
Travel Insurance including, medical, loss and trip cancellation or interruption insurance (which is a requirement to attend the retreat)
Medical Supplies (a basic first aid kit would be available)
Important Information for the trip:
Travelling to Ladakh is fairly easy! A flight from your location to Indira Gandhi International Airport -Delhi, and from Delhi there are numerous daily flights to Ladakh (Leh) of about 1hr20minutes duration with breathtaking views over the Himalayas.
However, there are some important considerations when planning your trip for the retreat:
ALTITUDE & ACCLIMATIZATION
Leh stands at 3,500 meters above sea level. Therefore, it's important to arrive one or two days before the retreat to start acclimatising. Look at our itinerary for the first two days.
For most people the symptoms are mild but even if you don't feel much, it's important to rest and drink plenty of water on those first days. We will start the retreat very gentle to let our bodies adapt to the high altitude. Most people feel fine 2 or 3 days after arriving.
To know more, visit: https://www.lehladakhindia.com/acclimatization/
PASSPORT & VISA
You will need to apply for a Visa to enter India and it's SUPER EASY!
You can apply for a 30-day E-tourist visa at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
You will get your visa a couple of days later(usually) on your email. Print it out and bring it with you.
Prices may vary from country to country and this information is available on the above web page.
Remember that your passport must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It's required that you get travel insurance covering emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation. We highly recommend cancellation insurance.
Music Retreat Pricing
SUPER EARLY BIRD PRICE: SAVE USD$300 (LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE)
Book and pay by 31st January 2025 to make a great SAVING of USD$300.
Pay Only:
· Twin Share: USD$2595 per person
· Single: USD$2795 per person
YOU CAN lock-in your PLACE AND THE SUPER EARLY BIRD PRICE NOW by paying a non-refundable deposit of USD $650. pay the remaining amount by 31st January 2025.
PAYMENT PLANS ALSO AVAILABLE. PLEASE WRITE TO US FOR THIS.
PRICES CHANGE AFTER 31st JANUARY 2025 (IF SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE)
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Any cancellation made up to 15th July 2025 will result in a loss of the non-refundable deposit of $650. Any cancellation made between 16th July and 15th August 2025, or no shows will result in a total loss of funds. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum (if we do you will be refunded in full). If you wish to cancel your reservation, it must be done in writing or via email and the cancellation will be effective as of the date MUSIC+ Retreats receives it. Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans
For any queries, suggestions, and details, do not hesitate to write us on musicplusretreats@gmail.com
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