Solitary Retreats
Now accepting applications for solitary retreats 2025.
Cabins for solitary retreats are available at Gampo Abbey for experienced practitioners who are interested in a retreat of ten days or longer. This practice opportunity is intended to support those wanting to deepen their study and practice of meditation. It is not intended to provide space for writing, music, yoga, martial arts, or to rest and recuperate.
Now accepting applications for solitary retreat for 2025.
To qualify to do a solitary retreat at Gampo Abbey
- You must be a member of a practice community and/or have a strong personal connection with a spiritual teacher.
- You must have completed one or more group retreat programs of at least two weeks.
- An established daily practice of at least five years is essential. You must be able to structure your own retreat time.
- We require the recommendation of a spiritual teacher or meditation advisor. This teacher must be able to comment on your preparedness to undertake a solitary retreat. Please discuss your retreat plan with your instructor before you apply.
Solitary Retreats at Gampo Abbey are not recommended for meditators with limited experience.
Prices in Canadian dollars
$75/night
Single-room cabin with two-burner propane stove. Electric kettle and rice cooker. Cold water only. Outhouse. Showers are available in the Abbey building. Has a spectacular view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and headlands. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
$80/night
Modern two-room cabin with kitchen including hot water. Composting toilet. Showers are available in the Abbey building. Close to cliffs but more protected than Cliffhanger Cabin. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
Very limited availability in 2025
$80/night
Modern two-room cabin with kitchen including hot water. Has outhouse and indoor shower. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
$150/night
Modern three-room cabin with full kitchen and bathroom with tub and shower. Electric heat and wood-burning stove. Ocean view. All bed and bath linens are supplied as well as food supplies. Deck facing the ocean. Has internet access – which can be disabled upon request.
Available after July 15, 2025
Vegetarian food supplies, which are cooked by retreatants, are included. Each cabin has a kitchenette with a small refrigerator, a bed with bedding, towels, a table/chair, meditation cushions, and a shrine. Some cabins have an outhouse. Cabins without showers offer a designated shower in the Abbey building used at specified times.
Basic shrine setup consisting of seven water bowls, electronic candles in votive holders, (no open flame candles please) and photos of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Pema Chödrön. Some cabins have a rupa or a thangka. Additional electronic candles, incense, juniper, and charcoal can be purchased at the Gampo Abbey Bookstore. If you need a special shrine setup, it is recommended that you bring it with you.
In accordance with monastic rules no meat, garlic, onions or alcohol are permitted for retreatants. Exceptions may be made in the case of eating meat for medical reasons only if pre-approved by the Director. Retreatants should bring any medication or dietary supplements needed for the full period of retreat. There is no smoking on Abbey grounds. If you require amrita for your practice we ask that you not use alcohol but instead make a dutsi solution.
Solitary retreats are solitary, in that there is no contact with other Abbey residents or staff, other than the liaison from the Retreats department. Any requests from retreatants are communicated by written notes. All Abbey residents are informed of ongoing solitary retreats and are instructed not to interfere with retreatant boundaries (not speaking, not visiting, not hiking with, etc.)
Cancellations and refund policy
A cabin will not be reserved until your application has been approved and a deposit of CDN$200 has been received by the Finance Office. Full payment is required when you arrive at Gampo Abbey.
If you need to cancel your retreat we will refund your deposit for cancellations received 30 days prior to your arrival day. If you need to cancel within 30 days of your requested arrival date, you may apply 75% of your deposit toward a future retreat.
Transportation to Gampo Abbey
Getting to Gampo Abbey is not particularly easy. We are in an isolated rural area on the western side of Cape Breton Island. There are however, a few different options for transportation. Click here for more information about getting here.
