Sakleshpur Retreat
Dates: 10th April – 12th April
Art Medium: Oil Pastels
This is not a workshop.
This is not a checklist of techniques.
This is an invitation.
An invitation to slow down.
To breathe deeper.
To create without pressure.
Why Sakleshpur?
Tucked in the Western Ghats, Sakleshpur is a gentle escape from noise — rolling green hills, hidden trails, birdsong at dawn, and skies that turn molten at sunset. Nature here doesn’t demand attention; it softly holds you.
And in that holding, something begins to open.
What We Do
At The Itchy Boots, our retreats are designed as slow, sensory journeys. Over a few intimate days, you will:
• Wake up to unhurried mornings and mindful coffee rituals
• Spend time sketching, painting, journaling guided yet free
• Explore the culture and flavours of the region
• Share stories with like-hearted women
• Sit in silence without guilt
• Rediscover the joy of creating just for yourself
No prior art experience is needed.
Only curiosity.
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
For the woman who has been postponing her pause.
For the creative soul who longs for space.
For the beginner who always wanted to try.
For the seeker who knows there is more to life than rushing through it.
What You’ll Carry Back
A slower breath.
A braver heart.
A sketchbook filled with moments.
And the quiet confidence to keep creating long after the hills fade into memory.
Come away with us to Sakleshpur.
Let nature take over.
Let yourself soften.
This is the art of doing nothing and everything that follows.
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
The Sakleshpur retreat is rooted in a simple belief — when you step away from constant doing, you return to yourself.
We personally explore every location, every stay, every meal before inviting you in. Each space is chosen for its warmth, its character, and its ability to let you exhale.
This is slow travel.
This is conscious creation.
This is community.
Day 1 – Arrival & Soft Beginnings
6:00 AM – Departure from Bangalore: We begin our journey in a comfortable A/C vehicle. Misty highways, sleepy conversations, and the quiet excitement of slowing down.
Breakfast on the Way: A relaxed South Indian breakfast stop en route.
12:00 PM – Arrival at Machaan We arrive at Machaan — a serene property tucked in the lush landscapes of Sakleshpur. Check in. Unpack. Breathe.
1:30 PM – Authentic Malnad Lunch. Local flavours, regional recipes, and comforting home-style food that introduces you to the culture of the land. Slow eating. Second servings. No hurry.
Afternoon at Leisure. Rest in your rooms, explore the property, journal, sip chai, or simply do nothing.
4:30 PM – First Art Session. Our opening creative circle. An immersive, low-pressure guided session designed to help you arrive not just physically, but mentally.
For beginners: gentle guidance.
For seasoned artists: spacious prompts and uninterrupted time.
Bonfire & Dinner: As evening settles, we gather around the bonfire. Warmth, stories, shared silences. Followed by dinner and a restful night.
Day 2 – Slow Immersion
Morning — At Your Own Pace. Wake up to birdsong and mist. Breakfast whenever you’re ready. No alarms. No rush. Just ease. Sip your coffee slowly. Journal. Sketch. Or simply sit with the quiet.
10:30 AM – Guided Art Session II. We gather for a deeper creative exploration.
Beginners receive step-by-step guidance.
Seasoned artists flow independently in shared silence.
A space to experiment, loosen control, and trust your instincts.
1:30 PM – Lunch
Afternoon Pause
Rest, wander, continue painting, or do absolutely nothing.
5:00 PM – Plantation Walk
A gentle walk through the surrounding greens.
Listening to leaves, noticing light, breathing in the earth.
Sometimes the best inspiration comes when we stop trying.
Dinner & Unhurried Evening. Warm food. Slow conversations. A night that doesn’t demand anything from you.
Day 3 – Gentle Goodbyes
Slow Morning: Wake up without rush. One last cup of coffee in the quiet. A final glance at the greens that held us.
Breakfast at Ease
Perhaps a short reflective moment to acknowledge what shifted, what softened, what opened.
11:00 AM – Check Out
We pack up slowly, exchange hugs, and begin the journey back —
carrying lighter hearts, unfinished sketches, and a pause we can return to anytime.
Cost of experience: ₹31,500 With art supplies( Twin sharing)
₹28,500 Without art supplies( Twin sharing)
Inclusions:
• Travel from Bangalore to Sakleshpur & back in a comfortable A/C vehicle
• 2 nights accommodation at Machaan
• All meals included (from breakfast en route on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3)
• Authentic Malnad cuisine experience
• Guided art sessions (all materials included for beginners)
• Open studio access for seasoned artists
• Plantation walk
• Bonfire evening
• Curated, founder-led retreat experience
• An intimate, small-group settingake and lack emotion. No one will be interested. Write for one person. If it’s genuine for the one, it’s genuine for the rest.
Exclusions:
• Travel to the Bangalore pick-up point
• Personal shopping, additional snacks, or beverages outside planned meals
• Personal art materials for seasoned artists (if you prefer to bring your own mediums)
• Any personal expenses
• Anything not explicitly mentioned in the Inclusions
FACILITATOR
The retreat is led by the Founder of The Itchy Boots, known for curating soulful women-only creative retreats.
Pragya Mittal
Through thoughtfully curated art retreats, she invites others to slow down, create deeply, and connect with both nature and self.
Featured in Mid-Day Mumbai:
“This women-only retreat in Puducherry offers the perfect mix of painting, peace, and personal growth.
It is for women who are ready to pause, breathe, and create — without pressure.
If you feel the yes, trust it.
Get an Invite
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