Welcome to the Panchakarma Retreat.​

Purify the body. Illuminate the spirit. Start your sacred journey back to wellness and the Self.

Our 8-day Ayurvedic Cleanse begins at $5,695 and includes expert consultations, daily therapies, and all meals, fully tailored to you. Book a complimentary Ayurvedic consultation to discover whether Panchakarma is the right next step.

Welcome to the Panchakarma Retreat.​

Purify the body. Illuminate the spirit. Start your sacred journey back to wellness and the Self.

Our 8-day Ayurvedic Cleanse begins at $5,695 and includes expert consultations, daily therapies, and all meals, fully tailored to you. Book a complimentary Ayurvedic consultation to discover whether Panchakarma is the right next step.

A STructURed 7-Night/8-Day Retreat

Comprehensive, traditional Ayurvedic cleanse

Detoxification, Disease Prevention, stress reduction

Sacred detox. Timeless wisdom. Lasting transformation.

You are held in a space of profound restoration through a sacred rhythm of herbal therapies, personalized treatments, nourishing food, and guided practices. But beneath the surface cleansing, something more begins to unfold: Stillness. Awareness. A rekindling of inner truth.

Let the wisdom of nature and time-tested ritual help you realign with your highest self. Whether you come seeking physical healing, emotional renewal, or spiritual connection, panchakarma invites you to surrender, reset, and rise anew.

THE BENEFITS OF PANCHAKARMA

Awaken to a New State of Bliss

Panchakarma is more than a detox—it’s a sacred reset for your entire being. Rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, this time-tested cleansing and rejuvenation process focuses on eliminating the toxins that build up in the body through lifestyle imbalances, overwork, fatigue, stress, pollution, and poor diet. By stimulating metabolism, unblocking energy, strengthening digestion, rejuvenating tissues and cells, and relieving stress, Panchakarma nourishes the mind, intellect, heart, body, and spirit.

Benefits for the Body​

  • Deep Detoxification 
  • Enhanced Digestion & Metabolism 
  • Stronger Immunity 
  • Radiant Rejuvenation 

Benefits for the Mind

  • Mental Clarity & Focus 
  • Emotional Balance & Calm 
  • Deeper Sleep & Restfulness 
  • Heightened Self-Awareness 

Benefits for the Spirit​

  • Energetic Reset 
  • Inner Peace & Stillness 
  • Awakened Intuition 
  • Alignment with Nature & Purpose 

Vaidya Medha Garud, BAMS, PT, CLT, LMT

Vaidya Medha Garud serves as the Director of Ayurveda Programs at Shankara Ayurveda Wellness, where she leads nationally recognized Ayurveda and Panchakarma retreats.

A professionally trained Vaidya from the prestigious Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research Hospital in Bangalore, India, Medha brings a uniquely integrative approach to wellness. She is a licensed physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience in orthopedic and lymphatic care, a certified yoga therapist and 500-hour yoga instructor with the Sri Sri School of Yoga, a licensed massage therapist, and a respected Art of Living stress management instructor.

With more than 5,000 hours of clinical experience, Vaidya Medha is highly regarded for her deep expertise in Panchakarma and Nadi Pariksha—the ancient science of pulse diagnosis.

Included in Your Path to Wellness

Pre-Cleanse

Receive diet instructions and herbal recommendations to prepare for the retreat.

Accommodations & Meals

8 days/7 nights in private accommodations and delicious vegetarian meals.

Pulse Assessment

Meet with our Ayurvedic doctor to determine imbalances and craft your treatment plan.

Signature Treatments

8 customized treatments and therapies.

Meditation & Yoga

Daily meditation sessions, restorative yoga, and time to unwind, relax, and recharge.

Classes & Demos

Educational sessions with experts, including Q&As, daily check-ins, and cooking demos.

Tranquility

An ideal tranquil setting for deep cleansing and rest—perfect for reconnecting with your body, mind, and surrounding nature.

Dedicated Team

Be guided every step of the way by our compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive staff.

Post-Program

Go home with a personalized diet and lifestyle wellness plan, recipes, and the tools to help you stay healthy year-round.

PICK YOUR RETREAT DATES

8-Day Program

Pricing for this all-inclusive healing experience starts at $5,695.
Special! Register at least 30 days in advance, save 10%.

Transforming Lives

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Cleanse 3-Step Process

Cleansing with Panchakarma involves a pre-cleanse prep, the main cleanse, and a post-cleanse. Your initial consultation with our Ayurvedic practitioner determines your constitution and imbalances and what therapies, herbal remedies, and techniques will be administered. You’re guided throughout the program by our specially trained Ayurveda specialists who closely supervise your entire Panchakarma.

1. Purvakarma: The Pre-Cleanse Prep

Panchakarma starts with a pre-cleanse to prep your body for the invigorating changes to come. This may involve changes to your diet to clear the body of unwanted toxins in the digestive system and lifestyle recommendations.

2. Pradhan Karma: The Main Cleanse

The main cleanse employs the elimination processes of Panchakarma, which may change depending on your constitution and imbalances.

Experience

  • 3 Abhyanga: Detoxifying Warm-Oil Massages
  • 3 Bashpa Sweda Steam Therapy Sessions
  • 1 Marma Replenishing Energy Treatment
  • 1 CranioSacral Therapy or Color Therapy.

Part of the power of Ayurveda is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it is customized to the needs of each individual—their unique body type and health imbalances.

3. Paschat Karma: The Post Cleanse

The most supportive next step is a commitment to habit and lifestyle change to prevent future build-up of toxicity in the mind and body. Reverting to past habits and lifestyles that hinder health is detrimental in the short and long term. This final step in the Panchakarma process involves

  • Learning how to maintain healthy eating habits for your constitution
  • Challenging yourself to make smarter and better lifestyle choices
  • Utilizing Ayurvedic herbs and natural medicines.
THE ART OF LIVING RETREAT CENTER

Scenic. Serene. Inspiring.

The perfect place to begin your journey to holistic wellness.

Since 2012, the Art of Living Retreat Center has offered wellness retreats featuring meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda. The Center is high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, surrounded by 380 acres of pristine forest. Beauty, nature, and time-honored architecture create the perfect setting that is authentic, not extravagant.

“You drive up this mountain and it’s instant, total bliss. It’s beautiful. Everything about it is magical.”

—Chelsea H.

1100+ enthusiastic Google reviews

UPGRADE OPTION

Extend Your Stay

Arriving at the Center a day early lets you embrace the serenity, adjust to peace, and reflect before the retreat. Extra days also allow you to participate in R&R workshops and Ayurvedic healing arts, or use the time to reflect, process, and internalize your retreat experience before you head home.

Either way, you’ll save 20% off our regular R&R rates! Select your added day(s) on the registration page.

Free Activities Include
Interactive Nature Hikes • Meditation & Movement Classes • Wellness Workshops

Paid Activities Include
Cooking Classes & Demos • Pottery Classes • Ayurvedic Wellness Treatments (Call 828.264.8382 During Spa Hours Wed-Sun For Availability)

UPGRADE OPTION

Nourish Your Body

Take your rejuvenation to another level by adding additional spa treatments.  

You’ll receive a 10% discount. Call to check availability during Shankara business hours:

9:00 am–6:00 pm, seven days a week; 828.264.8382

PRICING & ROOMS

All-Inclusive Options

Choose a price and space for your needs. Prices below include everything—rooms, meals, and program sessions.

Private Hotel Room
Private Retreat Room

PICK YOUR RETREAT DATES

8-Day Program

Pricing for this all-inclusive healing experience starts at $5,695.
Special! Register at least 30 days in advance, save 10%.
TRAVEL INFO

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.

  • Fly into Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)—Two hours away by car.
  • First day—Check-in at 4:00 pm; eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Last day—Leave after lunch; schedule your flight anytime after 5:00 pm.

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service

SERVICEPHONEWEBSITE
Hickory Hop Shuttle ServiceBook Online Onlyhickoryhop.com
High Country Limo828.898.9595highcountrylimo.com
Oscar’s Car Service704.965.5800N/A
Edwardo’s Car Service704.949.6775N/A
Blue Bird Transportation828.989.7286Blue Bird
Abby Cab828.475.2988abbycab.com
Uber or LyftBook in app on arrival. 

Find our address, video and printable directions, information about the nearest airports, and more HERE.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

We are here to help.

For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:

  • Refunds are available (less a $50/per person processing fee) up to 15 days before your program or stay.
  • Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50/per person processing fee) is available if you give notice between 14 and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following date of issue.
  • No credit or refund is available if you cancel on the arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.

AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.

Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.

To encourage a healthy environment we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces, however, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms.

Our property is always smoke-free.

Yes, we ask that guests with food allergies simply inform us so we can communicate those needs to our chef. Typically, we label potential allergens such as gluten, dairy, and nuts.

We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.

We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.

  • It is safe to leave your windows open—and necessary for proper airflow!
  • Nature surrounds our campus, and it’s common to see rabbits, deer, gophers, wild turkeys, and other small animals. Please give them space, and they’ll do the same for you. We’ve never had a safety incident with animals on campus.

You can help!

  • If you come across an animal on campus or a trail, give it space, and please do not attempt to pet or feed it.
  • There’s no need to bring valuables to the retreat center; leaving them at home is best.

Are you ready for a transformational experience?

Location

639 Whispering Hills Road
Boone, NC 28607
800.392.6870

Discover deep rest and rejuvenation on our tranquil mountaintop campus set amidst 380 acres of pristine forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina.  

Photo Gallery

New to Panchakarma?

Ready to start your journey?

Special! Register at least 30 days in advance, save 10%.
Pricing for this all-inclusive healing experience starts at $5,695.

Private Hotel Room

$6,395

per person + tax

All options include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)

 

  • King bed or two full beds
  • Flat screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Private Retreat Room​

$5,695

per person + tax

  • Twin beds
  • Private Bath
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Weekend of Creativity Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Plan your special day over a delicious whole-foods breakfast.
  • Walk our beautiful labyrinth or hike one of our scenic nature trails and reconnect with your inner self.
  • Express your creativity and have some fun playing with and shaping clay in your pottery class.

AFTERNOON

  • Mingle with like-minded visitors over lunch in the Dining Hall.
  • Cook up something new together in our Ayurveda cooking class or get clever on the canvas in a painting class.
  • Unwind with a relaxing spa treatment. Choose from a warm oil massage, energizing facial, or rejuvenating Netra Tarpana treatment and let our professional therapists pamper you. (Additional spa treatments available here.)
  • Recharge in the steam room.

EVENING

  • Browse our shop for crystals, jewelry, scarves, and more.
  • Nourish your body with a healthy dinner.
  • Take in the spectacular sunset or join the fireside concert.

Discover Ayurveda Solo Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Energize your mind, body, and spirit with morning yoga or meditation class.
  • Savor a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
  • Self-reflect as you leisurely walk our beautiful labyrinth.
  • Rest, replenish and rejuvenate with Abhyanga therapy—a detoxifying warm oil Ayurveda massage that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, cleansing, relaxing, and re-energizing the body and mind.

AFTERNOON

  • Grab some delicious chai and relax in our cafe or take in the majestic views on our deck.
  • Plan your afternoon over a nourishing lunch.
  • Connect with nature while hiking or walking one of our many breathtaking mountain trails.
  • Return to the spa for a Basti session to rejuvenate your joints! Stiff joints are bathed in warm medicated oil and massaged to deepen the therapeutic effects that increase lubrication and promote smooth flexibility and mobility.

EVENING

  • Get creative and have fun in our painting studio or kitchen.
  • Refuel your body with a tasty and healthy dinner.

Rejuvenating Bliss Solo Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Gaze at the sunrise while filling your lungs with fresh mountain air and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.
  • Sow a new level of calm and balance into your life with a Yoga or meditation class.
  • Enjoy a delicious whole-foods breakfast.
  • Cleanse your soul with a leisurely walk on one of our beautiful nature trails.

AFTERNOON

  • Nourish your body with a healthy and nutritious lunch.
  • Make a new memory with a cooking, painting, or pottery* class (*additional cost).
  • Choose from the widest selection of Ayurvedic therapies in the US for whole-body nourishment and renewal and let our professional therapists do all the work while you relax and rejuvenate.
  • Unwind in the steam room.

EVENING

  • Stop by our bookstore and explore our collection of new and classic self-care and spiritual resources.
  • Grab a fresh, calming herbal tea and curl up with a good book in your cozy room.

Mother-Daughter Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Plan your special day over a delicious whole-foods breakfast.
  • Retreat into relaxation with a mother-daughter spa treatment. Choose from a warm oil massage, energizing facial, or rejuvenating Netra Tarpana treatment and let our professional therapists pamper you. (Additional spa treatments available here.)
  • Recharge in the steam room.

AFTERNOON

  • Enjoy a decadent Mexican hot chocolate and reminisce in our cozy cafe.
  • Browse our shop for crystals, jewelry, scarves, and more.
  • Mingle with like-minded visitors over lunch in the Dining Hall.
  • Explore our captivating campus or head out on one of our guided mountain trail hikes.
  • Cook up something new together in our Ayurveda cooking class.
  • Self-reflect as you leisurely walk our beautiful labyrinth.

EVENING

  • Feed your body with a healthy dinner.
  • Take in the spectacular sunset or join the fireside concert.

Girlfriends Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING
  • Energize your mind, body, and spirit together with morning yoga or meditation class.
  • Catch up over a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
  • Connect with nature and reminisce while hiking one of our many mountain trails.
AFTERNOON
  • Plan your afternoon over a nourishing lunch.
  • De-stress with a girlfriends spa treatment, like our relaxing signature massage, hydrating facial, or energizing Marma session, and let our therapists work their magic. (Additional spa treatments available here.)
  • Get creative and have fun in our painting studio or Ayurveda food kitchen.
  • Grab some delicious chai and relax in our cafe or take in the majestic views on our deck.
EVENING
  • Plenty of time for bonding during a dinner.
  • Visit our shop and grab some souvenirs, rejuvenating herbal supplements, and restorative health products from Shankara’s all-natural beauty line.
  • Dance and sing at Kirtan.

Couples Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Gaze at the sunrise while filling your lungs with fresh mountain air and reminisce on the moments that connected you.
  • Bring a new level of calm and balance to your relationship with a Yoga or Meditation class.
  • Enjoy a delicious whole-foods breakfast together.
  • Walk or hike one of our beautiful nature trails and reconnect with each other, nature, and oneself.

AFTERNOON

  • Share a healthy and nutritious lunch.
  • Make a new memory by taking a workshop or educational class, or create a new experience together with a pottery*, watercolor painting, or cooking class (*additional cost).
  • Reduce tension and stress with a couple’s or individual Ayurveda spa treatment. Choose from the widest selection of Ayurvedic therapies in the US for whole-body nourishment and renewal.
  • Unwind in the steam room together.

EVENING

  • Stop by our bookstore and explore our collection of self-care and spiritual resources or spend time reading in the cafe.