Your retreat fee, comfort pack, shuttle and teacher support (dana) are 100% covered for a stay in either a casita, yurt or tent cabin. (The Hermitage is not covered by the grant under most circumstances). In addition, if you need financial support getting to and from the retreat, please note that in your registration and we will contact you to discuss further. Vallecitos will provide a travel reimbursement covering travel related expenses to those who would not otherwise be able to attend. 

The elevation of the center is 8,800 feet. Visitors often experience mild symptoms of elevation related illness, including fatigue, headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, sleep disruption and mild shortness of breath. These symptoms often go away during the first 1-3 days but can persist. In very rare cases symptoms can escalate to a more threatening condition with shortness of breath at rest, persistent coughing, and exercise intolerance. 

If you have ongoing medical conditions or acute medical issues, a visit to a medical provider familiar with the demands of altitude travel is helpful to prepare you before your trip. 

What to do to prevent altitude sickness BEFORE you arrive: 

• Acclimatizing: If you are able to sleep a night or two at a slightly lower elevation than the center prior to your arrival, it will help speed the body’s process of acclimatizing (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Denver).
• Hydration: It is critical to stay well hydrated starting several days prior to travel and during your retreat. Hydration is the key to preventing altitude related illness.
• Take it easy: Do not overdo it the first day or two. Stop early when you start to feel fatigue or any prolonged breathlessness.
• High Carbohydrate Diet: Increase carbohydrate intake (pasta, rice, pancakes) to 70% of total calories. This means reducing fat intake.
• Medication: There is prescription medication which helps prevent illness and speed acclimation. If you have a known issue with being at altitude, please consult your doctor before coming.

We are a remote wilderness retreat center and are prepared for minor injuries and illness only. The nearest hospital is approximately 1 ½ hour drive.

Mobility

The center is a remote, off-grid property in the wilderness of Jicarilla Apache and Ute Territories ( Carson National Forest). You must be able to walk uphill on rocky, uneven paths to navigate between the sitting hall, bath house, dining hall and your accommodation in daylight and at night. 

Remoteness

We are 1 ½ hours from the nearest medical facility. Our staff is only trained in basic first aid and CPR. In order to keep you safe,  health concerns must be shared with us prior to arrival. You must bring any medications needed to last your entire stay. 

CPAP use

We have two accommodations that can accommodate the use of a CPAP machine. We power the CPAP machines with solar powered batteries. IF YOU ARE BRINGING A CPAP, you must inform us on your registration so you can consent to the limitations of our infrastructure.

To reach Vallecitos, you will need to drive, carpool or take the Vallecitos arranged shuttle service (only one departure) at the start and end of the retreat. There is no alternate form of public transportation to the retreat center (i.e. bus, taxi, or uber). 

Shuttle

For this retreat, we provide one shuttle, free of charge, from the Albuquerque, NM airport departing at 2pm on opening day of the retreat, making one stop in Santa Fe, NM. The return trip to the airport will arrive at approximately 1pm on closing day of the retreat.  

Driving

You can find driving directions to the center here. Please know the last half hour to the center is on unpaved forest service road. The gate code to enter the property will be provided via email prior to your arrival date. Please review your route to Vallecitos on a map BEFORE beginning your trip.  Follow the directions we provide exactly and do not attempt to take any “shortcuts”, other routes, or rely on Google maps or GPS (both are unreliable and inaccurate in this area). 

The directions we provide are the safest, most expedient routes to the retreat center. If you don’t follow these directions, you risk getting lost in a remote area. There is no cell phone service in the mountains of this area.  In addition, it is not safe to drive in the evening in the mountains because of the danger of elk and deer that regularly cross the roads at that hour. Please arrange your schedule so that you arrive safely and on time. 

Driving Times

6 hours from Denver, 3 ½ hours from Albuquerque, 3 ½ hours from Durango, 2 ½ hours from Santa Fe, 1 ½ hours from Taos. Driving times are estimated and include no stops.

Travel Day Assistance

If you need assistance on the day you travel, please call or text our main number 505-469-9017 so that we can support your journey to the center. 

We do not want travel to and from the center to be a barrier for anyone. As such, Vallecitos will provide a travel grant to anyone who needs one. Once you register, we will contact you to discuss your specific request.  Once ready, you will make your own travel reservations, booking flights through our AmTrav account, and being in touch about any other travel related expenses requested for reimbursement. Please note we are not able to make travel reservations for you. If you should cancel your retreat, the travel grant should be returned to Vallecitos so that another grantee can be supported to attend retreat. 

We will provide all meals, bedding, towels, shower products, and meditation props. For packing, our motto for clothing is “Be Prepared!” with the emphasis on comfort, not style. Nights and mornings during the summer can be chilly (40s-50s). Days can be quite warm (70s-80s). Also, please remember that because of the high elevation of the property, the sun is very intense. Frequent and unexpected afternoon thunderstorms are also likely during the summer months (July and August). While June is usually a drier month, packing rainproof or resistant footwear will ensure your comfort. Here is a list of things to pack to bring to the center:

• Clothes that can be layered (it’s cold at night in the mountains!)
• Sun Hat (warm hat too in colder months)
• Rain gear (raincoat or poncho)
• Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes (rain resistant is preferable)
• Easy slip on shoes are nice to have as shoes are not allowed in the meditation hall or practice tent
• Daypack (optional)
• Battery operated travel alarm clock
• Battery operated flashlight or headlamp
• Extra batteries
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen 
• Medications
• Please note that we do not have the electrical capacity to support charging and using personal devices such as phones, ipads or computers. You are encouraged to leave these items at home, in your car, or off in your luggage.
• Candles are not allowed on site.
• Vallecitos is a weapons, tobacco, and alcohol free facility. These items are strictly forbidden on site.

Click here for current weather at Vallecitos.

Depending on the time of year you come to Vallecitos, it can vary. Nights and mornings during the summer can be chilly (40s-50s). Days can be quite warm (70s-80s). These temperatures can dip into the 30s and 60s in the spring and fall. Also, please remember that because of the high elevation of the property, the sun is very intense. Frequent and unexpected afternoon thunderstorms are also likely during the summer months (July and August). Packing rainproof or resistant footwear will ensure your comfort.

All accommodations are single occupancy, heated spaces and include a bed, pillow, desk, chair, nightstand and one battery or solar powered light. Please note there is no electricity to any accommodations at the retreat center. Guests choose to stay in either a casita, yurt, or tent cabin. Please let us know if you require an accommodation that is closer to the main retreat common areas. 

CASITAS

Each casita has a large window looking out to the woods, a bed, table and chair, as well as hooks to hang personal items.   All casitas have a small propane heater.  There are two to three casitas per casita structure, with shared walls in between. Casitas are single occupancy.

YURTS

There are four yurts available.  Yurts are round, with a skylight in the middle of the structure and canvas walls.  Each yurt has a bed, table and chair, as well as hooks to hang personal items.  All yurts have a small propane heater.  The yurts are stand-alone structures. Yurts are single occupancy.

TENT CABINS

There are four tent cabins available.  Tents are rectangular, framed canvas structures with a zipper door and three windows.  Each tent has a bed, side table and chair.  Tents have a small propane heater.  The tents are stand-alone structures. Tents are single occupancy.

There is a bathhouse shared by all retreatants with hot showers and restrooms, as well as outhouses.

The retreat center is far from the electrical grid. Lighting in the casitas, yurts and tent cabins is provided by solar power or battery operated lights. There are no electrical outlets for personal appliances or electronic devices.

There is no cell service for about an hour surrounding the retreat center. We have a satellite phone and satellite internet service for our operations and for emergencies only. Internet is not available to guests. You must plan ahead when traveling to the center as there is no service for the last hour. If you need to make other arrangements to be able to check your device, please contact us and we will review options with you.

For family members to reach you, they can email, text, or call refuge@vallecitos.org or 505-469-9017 and we will get a message to you on retreat. 

If someone needs to reach you during the retreat, they can email, text, or call refuge@vallecitos.org or 505-469-9017 and we will get a message to you on retreat. 

Meals

Vallecitos provides 3 delicious, nutritious vegetarian meals each day.  Ingredients are mostly organic and locally sourced where possible. Tea, fruit and simple snacks are available throughout the day in the dining room. Coffee is served at breakfast and pour over is available all day.

Special Dietary Information / Simple Bar

Vallecitos is committed to providing the best retreat experience possible. We understand that you have legitimate questions and concerns pertaining to your special dietary restrictions and need to understand what options you will have on retreat.  We have implemented a simple bar to accommodate 99% of all special diet requests. What this entails is at the mid-day and evening meal the kitchen will prepare 3 items that provide a balanced offering that most anyone with food restrictions can enjoy. It contains a cooked vegetable, cooked grain and source of protein (bean, legume or such). These items are prepared very simply, without dairy, soy, nuts or spices. We still ask for your specific restrictions in your registration so that our cooks can prepare and order accordingly. 

Given the remote nature of our retreat center and limited time we have to prepare meals, we can only accommodate special requests that are medically necessary. It takes great effort and planning to put together the meals we offer. We receive no deliveries at the retreat center and the nearest store is 1-1/2 hours away. Thank you for your consideration.

Bringing your own food

While you are welcome to bring  non-perishable food items to supplement your diet, we ask that you follow these guidelines.  We have very limited refrigerator space, so we ask that you only bring items that need refrigeration if it is absolutely necessary.  You are welcome to bring non-perishable items; they must be stored at the lodge in an enclosed bin.  We do not want to entice wild life or bugs into the accommodations and therefore food is not allowed in the accommodations.