Writing the Real: Observation, Attention, and Narrative in Nonfiction, with Rahul Pandita
Mukteshwar, India
Dates & Duration
26 Sep - 30 Sep 2026
5 Days / 4 Nights
Retreat Type
Writing
Level
intermediate
About This Retreat
Writing non-fiction is a specialized skill. Finding a story, digging deep into it, and discovering insight and meaning in the most obscure places is where it starts. The writing and editing then turns the raw information into an engaging, informative read.
Rahul Pandita is a master of non-fiction writing. Renowned for his coverage from conflict zones, he has four bestsellers under his belt. A Yale World Fellow and former journalist, he is also an editor of Open Magazine.
If you are working on a non-fiction project—whether it is a book or a serious non-fiction piece—this retreat will help you elevate your non-fiction writing.
Retreat Highlights
3-day intensive fiction writing workshop led by Rahul Pandita
4-night stay at a peaceful and inspiring Himalayan retreat
Learn the craft of fiction, including character, plot, scenes, dialogue, and narrative structure.
Personalised feedback and guidance from Rahul Pandita to help strengthen your writing and develop your ideas.
Dedicated time and space to write in a quiet, creative environment, with meals included.
Retreat Program
Day 1 - Arrival & Relaxation
Arrive September 26th. Relax and take things easy.
Day 2 - Observation
Observation: we will discuss the act of observation. We’ll do exercises and practice observation using lessons from the likes of Tracy Kidder, Joseph Mitchell and others.
Day 3 - Curiosity
We’ll dig into curiosity, and look at examples from Naipaul and Ryszard Kapuściński for Inspiration.
Day 4 - The Craft of Writing
This where we focus on the craft. We will write, we will edit, and we will learn not by discussing, but by doing. Rahul Pandita will channel teachers like Tracy Kidder and Hemingway on this day.
Day 5 - Departure
Leave after a relaxed breakfast. The stars in your eyes are now backed up by a solid set of skills.
Stay Info
Venue: Himalayan Writing Retreat
Address: Village Satkhol, District Nainital, Uttarakhand
Town: Satkhol • City: Mukteshwar, India
The Himalayan Writing Retreat is built for writing and learning. We are rated 5-star on google and facebook.
Once here, you will be sharing a room with a fellow participant, unless a single room has been confirmed. All essentials like food, hot water, towels etc. are provided. No hidden costs.
The rooms are built to let nature in and inspire you. The retreat also has dedicated writing spaces, including the Book Lounge.
It can snow in winter and the weather can vary. A pair of sturdy walking shoes, some rain protection and an extra layer or two are always a good idea.
Food Info
breakfast • lunch • dinner • snacks
All meals are served buffet style with fixed timings. If you have specific dietary needs, please inform us before you book. Non-veg is served once a day. All meals are freshly prepared, home-style, mostly Indian dishes.
Breakfast: 8:30–9:30 AM
Lunch: 1:00–2:00 PM
Tea: 5:00 PM
Soup: 7:45 PM
Dinner: 8:00–9:00 PM
A kettle and tea/coffee sachets are provided in all rooms. We do not offer room service.
Tea and snacks are served at 5:00 PM every day and are not available on order. The Kapil General Store, located about 300 yards from the retreat, is well stocked with packaged food and snacks.
FAQs
Why should I choose HWR Workshops?
Personal Attention: We don’t take more than 10 students in a class. You get a lot of personal attention and feedback. No classrooms of 20-30 people or one-way pre-recorded videos here.
Class Quality: For most courses, we filter our participants. You can’t just pay and sign up. We need to see a writing sample (in our application form) to ensure the class is of a uniform standard.
Quality of Faculty: No lightweights here. Many of our faculty are award-winners. All are experts and great teachers. We don’t settle for average.
**A Decade’s Experience:**The Himalayan Writing Retreat was founded in 2016. we’ve been doing teaching programs for writers for ten years. we;ve hosted over 1000 people, and have yet to have an unhappy participant. It shows up in everything we do.
Do I get a certificate of participation?
Yes, certificates are available on request.
Any discounts for students / other categories?
At the Himalayan Writing Retreat, we follow a strict No-Discount policy.
Is the Himalayan Writing Retreat a business or an NGO?
The Himalayan Writing Retreat is a social enterprise. It works closely and actively to support the unique and precious Chirag School. On average, HWR raises INR 8 Lakhs every year to support the Chirag School.
Know Before You Book
- English
- Hindi
- Guests cancelling 30 or more days before the retreat starts will receive a 95% refund.
- Guests cancelling between 15 and 29 days before the retreat starts will receive a 50% refund.
- No refund will be issued for cancellations made less than 15 days before the retreat starts.
Starting from ₹48,000 per Person