Inaugural Edition · Limited Seats
Parched
A Writing Retreat in Ladakh · 1–6 September 2026
Six days in the Himalayan mountains of Ladakh — a writers retreat in India led by Sahitya Akademi Awardee K. Jayakumar and author Megha Vishwanath. Craft workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and the kind of quiet that lets new sentences arrive.
Parched at a Glance
A quick summary of the Ladakh writing retreat
- What
- A 6-day writing retreat
- Where
- Leh, Ladakh, India (Himalayas)
- When
- 1–6 September 2026
- Who leads it
- K. Jayakumar (Sahitya Akademi Awardee) & Megha Vishwanath (author of Unseen)
- Cohort size
- Intimate — small single-digit group
- Includes
- Accommodation, all meals, workshops, 1:1 mentorship, monastery excursion
- For
- Writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and memoir — all levels
- How to apply
- Short Google Form (linked below); applications reviewed personally
About This Writers Retreat in Ladakh
Parched is our first Himalayan writing retreat, built as the kind of week we ourselves have always wanted — a small, unhurried, honest writers retreat in India, held together by craft.
It is for writers at any stage, working on any form. Whether you are circling a first book, finishing a manuscript, or returning to the page after a long pause, this writing retreat in Ladakh is open to you.
Days follow a gentle rhythm: morning craft sessions, long afternoon writing blocks, evening readings and conversations. Outside the writing room, there is the mountain — and the kind of quiet that lets new sentences arrive.
Your Mentors — Sahitya Akademi Awardee & Published Author
Guided by two writers whose lives have been shaped by language, craft, and the courage to put words on the page.
K. Jayakumar
Sahitya Akademi Awardee · Former Chief Secretary, Kerala
- Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for Pingalakeshini
- Former Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala
- Board member, Travancore Devaswom Board (Sabarimala)
- Poet, translator, and essayist across Malayalam and English
A distinguished writer and public servant, K. Jayakumar brings decades of literary craft and lived wisdom to the cohort. His work spans poetry, prose, and translation.
Megha Vishwanath
Author of Unseen (Zomato) · Currently at Eternal
- Author, Unseen: The Untold Story of Deepinder Goyal & Zomato
- Currently at Eternal (formerly Zomato)
- Former product marketer and journalist
- 6,000+ readers on Instagram (@megha.vishwanath)
Megha mentors writers on shaping narrative, voice, and the long arc of a book — drawing on her years as a journalist, marketer, and non-fiction author.
What's Included in the Ladakh Writing Retreat
Stay in the Himalayas
Five nights of comfortable accommodation in a quiet retreat space surrounded by Ladakh's vast, untouched landscape.
All Meals Included
Wholesome local meals, endless tea, and slow mornings designed for thinking, writing, and conversation.
Guided Writing Sessions
Daily craft workshops, structured writing time, and group readings — held by writers and editors from the Parchment circle.
One-on-One Mentorship
Personal feedback sessions on your manuscript, your voice, and the shape of the work you're trying to make.
6-Day Retreat Itinerary in the Himalayas
An indicative itinerary — the schedule remains gentle and responsive to the cohort.
Day 1 — Sept 1
Day 1 — Sept 1
Arrival & Welcome
Settle in, acclimatise, and gather for an opening dinner and introductions under the Ladakhi sky.
Day 2 — Sept 2
Day 2 — Sept 2
Finding the Voice
Morning craft session on voice and intention. Afternoon writing block. Evening reading and discussion.
Day 3 — Sept 3
Day 3 — Sept 3
Structure & Shape
Workshop on form and structure. Guided walk through nearby trails. Long writing block at dusk.
Day 4 — Sept 4
Day 4 — Sept 4
One-on-One Day
Personal mentorship sessions, quiet writing time, and an excursion to a nearby monastery.
Day 5 — Sept 5
Day 5 — Sept 5
Revision & Readings
Workshop on editing your own work. Group readings of new pages in the evening, by candlelight.
Day 6 — Sept 6
Day 6 — Sept 6
Closing & Departure
Closing circle, reflections on the week, and farewell breakfast before departures.
Who This Writing Retreat Is For
Writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and memoir. First-time writers and published authors alike. We keep the group small so that every voice has room.
No prior publication is required — only a serious intention to write, and openness to the work of others.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ladakh Writing Retreat
Everything you might want to know before applying to Parched.
Where is the Parched writing retreat in Ladakh held?
Parched takes place in a quiet, comfortable retreat space near Leh, Ladakh, surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. The exact venue details are shared with confirmed applicants a few weeks before the retreat begins. Leh is reachable by direct flights from Delhi.
When is the retreat and how long does it run?
The inaugural edition of Parched runs for six days, from 1 September 2026 to 6 September 2026. Participants arrive on Day 1 for an opening dinner and depart on Day 6 after a closing breakfast — giving five full nights and five working days in Ladakh.
Who leads the retreat?
The retreat is mentored by K. Jayakumar — a Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award winner, former Chief Secretary of Kerala, and current board member of the Travancore Devaswom Board (Sabarimala) — and Megha Vishwanath, author of Unseen: The Untold Story of Deepinder Goyal & Zomato and currently a marketing leader at Eternal. Both bring decades of writing and editorial experience.
What is included in the retreat?
Everything on the ground is included: five nights of accommodation in the retreat space, all meals and tea, daily craft workshops, long structured writing blocks, one-on-one mentorship sessions on your manuscript, group readings, and a guided excursion to a nearby monastery. Flights to and from Leh are not included.
Do I need to be a published writer to apply?
No. Prior publication is not required. We look for a genuine commitment to your writing — fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or memoir — and openness to the work of others in the cohort. First-time writers and published authors are equally welcome.
Are there writing retreats in India in September 2026?
Yes. Parched is the writing retreat by Parchment Publications running 1–6 September 2026 in Ladakh, India. September is one of the best months to write in the Himalayas — the summer crowds have thinned, the light is soft, and the air is crisp without being cold.
How do I apply to the Parched writing retreat?
Applications are submitted through a short Google Form linked on this page. Tell us a little about yourself, your writing, and why you'd like to join. Seats are limited to a small cohort and each application is reviewed personally by the Parchment team, usually within a few working days.
What is the best writing retreat in the Himalayas?
There are several excellent options in the Indian Himalayas. Parched is designed for writers who want serious craft attention in an intimate cohort, with mentorship from a Sahitya Akademi Awardee and a published non-fiction author. If you're weighing options, our guide to writing retreats in India compares the leading programmes.
What should I pack for a Himalayan writing retreat?
Layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, a good water bottle, sunscreen for high altitude, comfortable walking shoes, and a notebook that opens flat. Bring one manuscript rather than every project — the mountain clarifies quickly. A complete packing list is shared with confirmed participants.
Comparing options? Read our guide to writing retreats in India.
Limited Seats · Reviewed Personally
Apply to Parched — Sept 2026
Only a few seats remain in the inaugural cohort. The form takes a few minutes — tell us a little about you and why you'd like to come. We review every application personally.
Questions? Write to us at hello.parchment@gmail.com