There are journeys that show you a place, and there are journeys that invite you to learn from it. This retreat is the latter.
Assam is a land shaped by river, rhythm, and craft. The Brahmaputra stretches wide like a moving horizon. Tea gardens roll across the plains. Stilted Mising villages stand watch along quiet waterways. And everywhere, in forms both humble and intricate, you find bamboo- a grass that has supported, sheltered, fed, and inspired communities for generations.
Today, bamboo sits at the forefront of a global design shift. Across fields from fashion to architecture, this grass is being re-examined through new techniques in treatment, engineering, and design. It’s celebrated not only for its strength and sustainability, but also for its sculptural freedom.
This retreat rests at that meeting point. A week in Assam where indigenous wisdom and contemporary exploration speak to one another. And guiding you through this space are Rahul and Eureka, partners in life, work, and curiosity. They’ll be with you as creative companions: walking with you, building with you, questioning with you, and helping you slow down enough to understand bamboo through your hands, your senses, and your context.
Rahul brings a lifelong exploration of natural materials and intuitive making- from sitting wordlessly by rivers and forests, to learning directly from traditional artisans, to co-creating with contemporary artists and architects. In building for festivals, hospitality projects, and community spaces, he blends craft, engineering, and playfulness.
Eureka brings grounding- an architect, social entrepreneur, and zero-waste practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of design, social impact, and ecological awareness. She holds space for reflection, gentle attention, and the deeper connections that emerge when making becomes a way of understanding.
Together, they invite you to rediscover the joy of living materials- to touch, split, weave, bend, question, and build.
But this retreat is not only about bamboo. It is also about Assam itself. You’ll ferry across the Brahmaputra to Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands. Share an ethnic meal in a Mising home and sip apong warmed over a wood-fired kitchen. Walk through villages where bamboo still shapes daily life. Taste tea where it grows. Sit around bonfires and swap stories with fellow travellers. Learn from artisans whose knowledge is stitched through generations.
And then, with bamboo in your hands, you will create. Small explorations become ideas. Ideas become co-creation. By the end of the week, a new connection emerges- something shaped by the wind, your mood, and the quiet joy of making together.
If you feel the soul of a wanderer within you and are curious about the natural world, this retreat offers a way to understand Assam not through itineraries, but through immersion, through touch, conversation, community, and craft.
Come with open hands and an open mind. Leave with bamboo dust on your clothes, new friendships, and a story woven through your own making.
Welcome to a journey that blends travel, learning, and creation- one that grows slowly and stays long after you’ve left.
No. This retreat welcomes both beginners and experienced makers. You don’t need to identify as a creator — curiosity and a willingness to engage with the material are more than enough.
You’ll begin with simple exercises in splitting, weaving, joinery, and form. As the week unfolds, these explorations naturally evolve into a personal piece or a collaborative creation. The emphasis is on process, intuition, and discovery rather than technical mastery.
The retreat is gentle. Bamboo work involves light hand movement, and all transitions and walks are unhurried. Nothing in the itinerary is strenuous or fast-paced.
Absolutely. Many participants join on their own, and the shared rhythm of making, conversation, and meals naturally creates a warm sense of community.
Your time in Assam is shaped by meaningful encounters with both craft and culture. You’ll spend a day in a Mising village, sharing an ethnic meal, learning about apong-making, and seeing how bamboo sits quietly at the heart of daily life. On Majuli, you’ll visit Samaguri Satra to experience the island’s celebrated mask-making tradition. Back in Jorhat, you’ll be introduced to the world of tea – staying on a small family-run tea estate, participating in tea tastings, enjoying Assamese home-style meals, and taking slow farm walks. Each experience is designed with context, sensitivity, and genuine community involvement.
You’ll spend most nights in Jorhat at a family-run farm retreat surrounded by tea and quiet rural rhythms. The rooms are simple, comfortable, and well-maintained, with fresh home-style meals.
During the Majuli segment, you’ll stay in Mising-inspired bamboo cottages, designed to reflect the island’s culture and pace of life.
Yes. All bamboo, tools, and safety equipment are provided.
After booking, you will receive a detailed packing list to help you prepare for the weather, terrain, and nature of the making sessions.
The retreat is capped at 12 participants to ensure an intimate environment and meaningful engagement with Rahul and Eureka.
If the minimum number of bookings is not met, the retreat may be rescheduled or cancelled. In such cases, guests will receive a full refund or the option to move to a later date.
Expect fresh, home-style Assamese meals at Puroni Bheti, an ethnic Mising lunch during the village visit, and wholesome regional flavours throughout. We can accommodate dietary preferences with advance notice.
Yes. Smaller personal creations are yours to take home. Larger collaborative pieces often remain on the farm as part of the retreat’s evolving landscape of nature inspired structures.
Yes. The retreat balances guided sessions with ample free time – for journaling, quiet walks, resting, or simply taking in the surroundings.
Puroni Bheti is located in Jorhat, Assam, which has both an airport and a railway station.
We can arrange airport, railway station, or highway pickups aligned with your arrival time.
Basic connectivity is available, though we encourage guests to stay as offline as they comfortably can. Presence enriches the experience.
Our approach is simple: to run this retreat with care. We collaborate closely with local communities, keep the group small, source food locally, and minimise unnecessary waste wherever possible. Meals are planned with intention, the pace encourages mindful use of resources, and materials are handled with respect. We don’t claim to be perfectly “eco,” but we aim to host the retreat in a way that feels thoughtful, grounded, and considerate of the place and people welcoming us.
Assam’s weather can be dynamic. All sessions have sheltered or alternative plans, ensuring the experience continues comfortably regardless of conditions.
