Vaatalya Pre-Arrival & Packing Guide
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Bookmark it for later: what to pack & expect before you arrive. 🎒
Namaste, and Welcome to Vaatalya.
Life here is simple, honest, and close to nature.
Getting Ready
🏞️ We are off-the-grid. The nearest shop is 30 minutes away, and the market is an hour away. Please carry everything you may need.
🎒 Luggage: A backpack is the best choice, as it’s light and easier to carry on the short uphill walk (~80m). Trolleys are also welcome — they just take a little more effort in offbeat terrain.
💵 Cash: ATMs are not nearby. GPAY works fine. Carry emergency cash for taxis, local expenses, or extra food etc.
Weather at Vaatalya
Mountains change fast — sunny one moment, chilly the next.
🌸 Spring & Summer (Mar–Jun): 15–28°C
🌧️ Monsoon (Jul–Aug): 14–22°C
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov): 10–22°C
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb): –2 to 8°C
Even in summer, nights are cold. Always bring a jacket/shawl.
What to Pack
🎒 Daypack for walks/treks
🧘 Yoga mat (optional but useful)
🚰 Water bottle (RO water available at dining + rooms)
🔦 Torch/flashlight (mandatory)
🔌 Chargers + small extension board (limited plugs)
🪪 Govt. ID (passport for foreign nationals)
💊 Small medical kit + your personal medicines
🧥 Dress in layers — weather shifts quickly
🧣 Pullovers, warmers, cap, gloves, shawl (for chilly nights)
🧴 Sunblock, cap, sunglasses
🌿 Lip balm especially in winters
👟 High-ankle trekking shoes (protects from sprains, prevents slipping)
🩴 Crocs — very handy for moving between your room and other common spaces, or just sitting outdoors comfortably
☔ Umbrella or raincoat — useful for moving around the retreat, especially between meals; a raincoat is best since mountain showers can arrive at odd hours
Optional · Enhance Your Stay
Bring your own sleeping bag for stargazing, personal yoga mat, and binoculars to spot birds and distant peaks.
All of these are available on rental with us.
However, our rental stock is limited.
If you already have your own, it’s always easier, more comfortable — and helps reduce your overall cost.
Life at Vaatalya | House Rules
🏡 Community Living
-This is a shared space — you’ll see our team, local families, dogs, sometimes children or cows.
-Treat everyone and every corner like a good home.
💧Water is Gold
-We rely on spring + rainwater. Please use mindfully.
-Do not wash clothes in the room. Laundry facility available for stays over 5 nights (on charge).
-Drink as much as you like and stay well hydrated, it's fresh and free to any charge.
-Each room is stocked with water. For refills, ask us anytime or bring your bottles to the dining hall during meal hours.
🥗 Food
-Homestyle vegetarian meals, cooked fresh.
-All meals are served only in the dining hall at fixed times.
-Meal timings: Breakfast 9:30 AM | Lunch 2 PM | Dinner 8 PM | Snacks 4:00–6:00 PM.
-No in-room dining or service. Kitchen & common dining space closes at 9 PM.
-We do not offer meal service outside the dining space | Meals/Drinks are not to be taken inside the rooms.
-Cups/plates taken outside (e.g., to the sunset point not to the rooms) must be returned to the dining area
-We do not serve junk food like Maggi or packaged meals and there is no provision for them to me made in the rooms.
-No outside food is allowed, except small packaged snacks (like chips etc) if you wish — though we encourage staying away from packaged foods during your time here.
-The kitchen is not open for guest use, but long-stay travellers (15+ nights) may be welcomed into it.
🍵 Early Morning Chai
-Please request a day in advance (ideally around dinner) so we can make a note.
-Served the next morning between 8:30–9:00 AM when the kitchen opens.
-Before that, please use your in-room kettle. Tea/coffee sachets are stocked in your room and can be refilled anytime — just ask if you run out.
🍷 Alcohol & Smoking
-Alcohol is allowed quietly and respectfully — please do not disturb others.
-Smoking only outdoors, never inside, near windows, or in common areas.
👶 Children & Discipline
-Children are welcome, but parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring they do not disturb the peace of the retreat & other travellers.
-Any damage caused in/to any part of the property, parents/guardians will be liable to bear the damage costs
🐕 Dogs
-Our Dogs are wild mountain dogs, not pets.
-Do not feed or touch them.
🚿 Washrooms
-Western-style flush toilets & showers.
⚠️ Strict Rule: Do not throw toilet paper, sanitary pads, diapers, condoms, cigs buds, wipes, or any items in the flush — it will block plumbing and disrupt your stay. Dustbins & provision are provided for waste disposal for the above mentioned waste.
🔥 Heating & Warmth
-No heaters by default.
-Hot water bags and heavy quilts provided in every room.
-Room heaters available at ₹650/day if needed.
-We do not host bonfires (cutting wood is illegal), but BBQ evenings are arranged for warmth and gathering.
🧹 Housekeeping & Laundry (IMP)
-Our team will never enter your room unless you ask us to.
-Rooms are cleaned before arrival with fresh linen and towels.
-Daily housekeeping is minimal to save water and resources.
-For stays over 3 nights, request housekeeping — or we’ll provide equipment if you prefer to tidy up yourself.
-Biodegradable bags are provided for diapers, sanitary pads, etc. Place them in the bag, then into your bin, and ask us to clear it.
-Ask us anytime to refresh your cups for tea or coffee — we’ll wash and replace them for you.
🔇 Quiet Hours
-After 10 PM, please keep noise/sound levels low so all can rest peacefully.
⚠️ Guests must not enter the jungle at night, drive in heavy rain, leave doors open, or stray into no-network forest areas. Vaatalya accepts no liability for any harm, loss, or consequences resulting from such actions.
Health & Safety
🩺 Please consult your doctor before travel if you have any medical conditions.
💊 Carry your own medicines & First Aid Kit — local medical availability is not reliable, as we are in a disconnected region.
⚠️ This is an adventurous trip in nature. While basic medical facilities and vehicles are available, road conditions/ weather condition/ distance can cause delays. Guests with serious medical conditions are advised to travel only after their doctor’s approval.
Power & Connectivity
⚡ No power backup — outages are rare and mostly announced if they last long.
🔦 Solar emergency lamps and torches are provided on request.
🌬️ Fans or coolers are not needed — weather stays naturally pleasant.
📡 Mobile network for Airtel works better than other providers, in certain parts of the retreat
📶 We have 40 MBPS Wi Fi available @INR 250 per day per person.
We encourage you to use your phones minimally and spend this time with yourself and your loved ones.
Travel & Arrival
Check-in & Check-out
🕑 Check-in: 2:00 PM | 🕛 Check-out: 11:00 am (unless agreed otherwise)
Getting Here
🗺️ Vaatalya is intentionally off Google Maps. Detailed directions are shared only with confirmed guests — this keeps your journey safe and the retreat exclusive.
Luggage Support
🎒 The last stretch includes a 30m/5 mins uphill walk. Carry what you can; if you need assistance, just call us 10–20 minutes before arrival. We’ll be happy to help with the rest as a goodwill gesture.
Arrival Lunch
🍲 Lunch is served till 2:30 PM on your check-in day. If you’re arriving later, please eat on the way.
You may order snacks as extras from our lite-bites menu once here.
Travel Details
✉️ Full travel instructions are shared in your confirmation email after your invite is accepted.
✨ Vaatalya is a rhythm, a community retreat, and a pause. Treat it with care, and it will give back more than you expect.
We look forward to hosting you in the mountains. Welcome Home. 🏡
💛 Still have questions?
Just scroll below drop us a message in the chat below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Please include your Invite Reservation details so we can help you better.
