2026 Indigenous Peoples' Retreat

2026 Indigenous Peoples' Retreat FAQ

What should I know before arriving at Vallecitos?

This is a remote retreat center with no cell service in or around the property, and no electricity in guest accommodations. Walking routes are steep and rocky, and the nearest hospital is about 1.5 hours away. Please bring any medications you need for the full stay and speak with your doctor if you have concerns about high elevation, as the center sits at 8,800 feet.

If you use a CPAP machine, please let us know in advance so we can review the limitations of our infrastructure with you. The only way to reach the center is by driving, carpooling, or using the Vallecitos shuttle, which runs only once at the beginning and end of the retreat. There is no other public transportation. Travel plans must be shared before arrival. Drivers should follow the provided directions and plan to arrive between 3:00 and 5:00 pm, before dark.

Layered clothing is strongly recommended, especially for cold nights and early mornings. Have other questions? Community Organizer Kelzi Montpetit, who is mixed race Kanien'kehá:ka and Anishinaabe, is available to speak with you and will also be contacting registered guests.

What are the fees, and what do they include?

The retreat uses a sliding scale of $1,250–$75. The actual cost is $1,050, which includes meals, lodging, airport shuttle transportation, bedding and towels, and shower products. Any amount paid above the actual cost directly helps support others in attending.

An optional offering for the teachers may be made at the end of the retreat. This is separate from the retreat fee, and the teachers are sustained through participant donations in the spirit of mutual generosity. A limited number of travel grants are also available to assist with travel to New Mexico.

How do travel grants work?

Kelzi will connect with all guests to discuss travel plans and any assistance needed. Information is collected from the group first, and grants are then awarded to help as many people as possible until funds are exhausted. Travel reservations cannot be made on your behalf. If you receive travel support and later cancel your registration, the funds should be returned to Vallecitos.

What about altitude and health concerns?

At 8,800 feet, some visitors may experience altitude-related symptoms such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, upset stomach, sleep disruption, or mild shortness of breath. These often improve within the first 1–3 days, though they can last longer. In rare cases, symptoms can become more serious. Anyone with ongoing or acute medical concerns should consult a provider familiar with altitude travel before coming.

To help prevent altitude sickness, it is best to acclimate at a lower elevation if possible, stay well hydrated before and during the retreat, avoid overexertion at the start, increase carbohydrate intake, and speak with your doctor about preventive medication if needed.

What health and mobility considerations should I keep in mind?

This is a remote wilderness retreat center prepared only for minor illness and injury. Staff are trained in basic first aid and CPR. Because the nearest medical facility is about 1.5 hours away, any health concerns must be shared before arrival, and you must bring enough medication for your entire stay.

The property is off-grid and located on ancestral lands of Jicarilla Apache and Ute Territories, within what is also known as Carson National Forest. Guests must be able to walk uphill on uneven, rocky paths between the sitting hall, bathhouse, dining hall, and accommodations, both during the day and at night.

How do I get there?

You must drive, carpool, or take the arranged shuttle. There is no bus, taxi, or rideshare service to the retreat center. For this retreat, one free shuttle will depart from Albuquerque International Airport at 2:00 pm on September 21, with one stop in Santa Fe. The return shuttle arrives at the airport at approximately 1:00 pm on September 26.

If you are driving, the final half hour is on an unpaved forest service road. Please review the route in advance and follow the provided directions exactly; GPS and map apps are unreliable in this area. Evening driving is not recommended because of wildlife on the roads. Estimated driving times are 6 hours from Denver, 3.5 hours from Albuquerque, 3.5 hours from Durango, 2.5 hours from Santa Fe, and 1.5 hours from Taos.

What should I pack?

Meals, bedding, towels, shower products, and meditation props are provided. Please pack for comfort and changing mountain weather. Nights and mornings can be in the 30s–40s, while daytime temperatures may reach the 50s–60s. The sun is intense at this elevation, and rainproof or water-resistant footwear is recommended.

• Layered clothing
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Rain gear
• Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes
• Easy slip-on shoes
• Daypack, optional
• Battery-operated travel alarm clock
• Battery-operated flashlight or headlamp
• Extra batteries
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Medications

There is not enough electrical capacity for charging or using personal devices such as phones, iPads, or computers, so it is best to leave them at home, in your car, or switched off in your luggage. Candles are not permitted. Burning sage or ceremonial items is allowed only if forest conditions permit and under the supervision of teachers and staff.

What are the accommodations like?

Guests will stay in a casita, yurt, tent cabin, or the hermitage cabin. Please let us know if you need lodging closer to the main common areas. Casitas, yurts, and tent cabins are single occupancy and each includes a bed, table, chair, and hooks for personal items. Casitas and yurts have small propane heaters. The bathhouse is shared and includes hot showers and restrooms, along with outhouses. Lighting is provided by solar power or battery-operated lights, and there are no outlets for personal appliances or devices.

What is the schedule?

Arrival on Monday, September 21:

• 3:00–5:00 pm Arrival and registration for those driving
• 5:30–6:30 pm Arrival and registration for shuttle guests
• 6:30–7:30 pm Dinner
• 7:30–8:00 pm Orientation
• 8:00 pm Opening of the retreat

Departure on Saturday, September 26:

• 7:30–8:00 am Breakfast
• 8:05 am Shuttle departure
• 8:30–9:30 am Clean up
• 9:30–10:00 am Pack up
• 10:00 am Departure for drivers

Daily schedules will be provided during the retreat.

What meals are provided?

Vallecitos serves three nutritious meals each day, with ingredients that are mostly organic and locally sourced when possible. Tea, fruit, and simple snacks are available throughout the day, and coffee is served at breakfast.

The kitchen offers a simple bar at lunch and dinner to accommodate most dietary restrictions, featuring a cooked vegetable, cooked grain, and a protein such as beans or legumes, prepared simply without dairy, soy, nuts, or spices. Because the center is remote and food preparation is limited, only medically necessary special requests can be accommodated. Guests may bring pre-cooked meats in a separate cooler, as well as dried fish, jerky, and other non-perishable foods. Supplemental food is stored in a communal bin in the main dining hall and may not be kept in guest rooms.