Bliss & Stars Retreat

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RETREATS OVERVIEW

SILENT RETREAT

A Retreat Where Nothing Happens

Why Silence Changes Everything

Silence reveals the parts of you that noise keeps hidden.
It doesn’t offer answers. It strips away the need for them.
Silence is a space. A pause that doesn’t try to improve you.
Where the mind stops pretending it’s separate from the body.
Where the lost and distorted parts of you show up – clear, unedited.
Where you stop fixing. Stop running.
And start remembering.
Silence takes you home.
Not to a better version of yourself. Just to the one that’s been here all along.

What Happens on Silent Retreat
Sit with yourself.
Guided and unguided meditation. Not to escape or quiet the mind. To stay.

Move with awareness.
Slow walking. Somatic rituals. No goals. Just presence.

Eat what grounds.
Simple, seasonal, slow. Made to nourish. Eaten slowly.
No alcohol. No caffeine. Nothing to speed you up.

Look up.
Under the Cederberg night sky, your inner space meets the outer one.
Your sense of self-importance shrinks. Your breath deepens.

No Distractions
No phones. No talking. No podcasts. No reading.
We pause the noise, so you can meet what’s left.
Book Your Silence
Woman Standing At The Terrace Overlooking Bliss And Stars Valley
Daria Rasmussen Founder Of Bliss And Stars

MEET YOUR GUIDE: Daria

Mindfulness teacher. Somatic practitioner.
She left corporate life after silence made things too clear to ignore. She won’t lead you anywhere. She holds a torch and shines a light, so you can find which path you want to take.

“My first 48-hour silent retreat cracked everything open. It didn’t fix me. It unmasked me. I faced the habits that had been driving my life. Watching them—without needing to change them—changed everything. Silence taught me how to stay. How to stop performing. And how to trust what’s already here.”
Meditation

Who This retreat is for

This retreat is for you if you’re done being “fine”, and you crave space more than answers and you don’t need a detox. You need less pretending.

No meditation experience needed. Just a willingness to be quiet. And stay.
How Deep Do You Want to Go?
We offer three ways in:

4-Day Retreat
A short, potent reset. Ideal for first-timers or those who need silence without overwhelm. A compact pause.
Just long enough to realise how much noise you carry, get uncomfortable, and start paying attention.

6-Day or 7-Day Retreat
The deeper dive. Time to meet discomfort. To stop negotiating with your thoughts. To notice what you’ve been avoiding.

All formats follow the same rhythm. What shifts is how long you stay in the silence.
Book Your Silence
"Thank you for sharing this wonderful space you have created and all your wisdom and insight. I have the most amazing memories and it was truly a life-changing experience."

THE DATES

29 JUL - 3 AUG 2025 | 30 OCT - 2 NOV 2025 | 11 - 14 DEC 2025 | 5 - 11 JAN 2026

PRICES & ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

The entire experience is included in the stated prices. We never have extra “hidden” charges.
Chalet Tucked In The Rocks At Bliss And Stars South Africa

CHALET DOUBLE | 2 PERSONS

R33,000 | 3 NIGHTS
R39,500 | 5 NIGHTS
R48,500 | 6 NIGHTS
Leopards Cave Chalet At Bliss Amp Stars Retreat In Cederberg

CHALET SINGLE | 1 PERSON

R24,000 | 3 NIGHT
R27,500 | 5 NIGHTS
R34,900 | 6 NIGHTS

Villa Weavers Nest At Bliss And Stars Retreat 1
VILLA DOUBLE | 2 PERSONS

R39,000 | 3 NIGHTS
R45,000 | 5 NIGHTS
R56,500 | 6 NIGHTS

Luxury Bath At Bliss And Stars Cederberg

VILLA SINGLE | 1 PERSON

R27,000 | 3 NIGHTS
R31,000 | 5 NIGHTS
R39,500 | 6 NIGHTS
257 Figtree Blissandstars Teagancunniffe

TENTED CHALET DOUBLE

R27,000 | 3 NIGHTS
R31,500 | 5 NIGHTS
R39,500 | 6 NIGHTS
The Dassie Spot Tented Chalet

TENTED CHALET SINGLE

R18,000 | 3 NIGHTS
R22,500 | 5 NIGHTS
R28,500 | 6 NIGHTS
THE PRICE INCLUDES

Accommodation

Daily talks, meditations, mindful movement, and relaxation practices

Daily mindful walks

1:1 guidance | Mindful Conversations

Guided stargazing sessions

Snacks and beverages served throughout the day

3 balanced and nutritious meals a day

Clean, biodegradable skin care products

Access to 1,350 ha of wild and pristine nature

Book Your Silence
Rest And Thrive Retreat Is About Sitting By The Serene Pool
"Thank you for a truly rejuvenating and inspiring retreat and sharing with me your little piece of heaven. Thank you for guiding me on my path in the most gentle and loving way. I left with clarity, feeling relaxed and excited to continue to grow and learn about myself and our planet (and universe). I have continued the morning routine with meditation and mindful movement which is definitely helping me have a more positive and clear mindset for the day. Missing your fresh water and food!"
burning questions
Do I have to meditate all day?
No. There’s structure—sitting, walking, meals, rest—but nothing extreme.

Is it completely silent?
Yes. No talking. No eye contact. No gestures. You’ll receive clear guidance at the beginning of the retreat.

Can I journal or write?
Yes. Quiet reflection is welcome.

Will I be bored?
Almost certainly. That boredom is the threshold.
Book Your Silence
04 Mountain
COME AS YOU ARE. WE TAKE CARE FOR THE REST.
BLISS & STARS EXPERIENCE
Rest in spacious chalets that seamlessly mesh with nature

Connect with others in small groups of a maximum of 8 people

Communal Dining

Be amazed by nature and observe the night sky through our state-of-the-art telescopes

Saunter in secluded mountainous areas

Relax and breathe deeply with mindfulness practices

Discover Bushmen cave paintings

Share the living space with eland, baboons, Cape leopards and many more beautiful animals

Travel lightly and use our daily laundry service

FAQ

Silence starts with not talking but it’s so much more. We ask that there’s no communication between guests – including not making eye contact and not touching others. Silence also means there are no books, phones or music. This might feel strict but the point is to not get distracted from what you’re really experiencing in the present moment. We do encourage journaling though.

Currently, we don’t accept volunteering applications.

It is a +- 4.5 hour drive from Cape Town to the Bliss & Stars meeting point. Bliss & Stars is 60km north of Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. It is a 45-minute drive on a gravel road from Clanwilliam to the meeting point however no 4 x 4 or raised vehicle is necessary. At the meeting point, you can safely park your car and will take you the last bit of the way in our vehicle.

You are welcome to drive all the way to Bliss & Stars however: after the meeting point the road is sandy and rocky so a high clearance vehicle and confident driving skills are needed.

If you need a transfer from CPT or Cape Town International Airport then let us know.

Please aim to check in before 2pm. On the last day the retreat ends at 11 am and you will be able to check out from 12pm onwards.

If you are flying back home: we recommend booking your flight after 4pm. Alternatively break your travel and stay in Clanwilliam before you head back. We recommend the Yellow Aloe guesthouse in Clanwilliam.

Once your reservation has been confirmed: you’ll be sent a welcome letter providing lots of useful information about the retreat, including a helpful guide on what to pack.

This retreat is limited to max. 8 people. In this way we ensure you receive a full attention from the team.

Certainly, couples are invited to join the silent retreat as long as they are prepared to embrace the commitment of maintaining silence together. This can lead to a deeply meaningful encounter, where both individuals share their personal journeys side by side.

Bliss & Stars is not conducive to children. We have a minimum age requirement of 21.

Please arrive no later than 2pm and plan to leave no earlier than 12pm. Exact arrival and departure times can be arranged with us closer to the time. 

We cater to specific nutritional and dietary requirements including food allergies and food intolerances. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are always available.

Everyone is welcome at all of our experiences regardless of the meditation and yoga experience or fitness levels. We cater for different levels, so that you will be supported, challenged and encouraged to learn.

You don’t need to participate in everything; but to get the full benefit of your silent retreat we recommend you join all the practices.

Unfortunately not. We ask that you leave by 5pm on the closing day.

We unfortunately cannot accommodate disabled or mobility impaired people. Bliss & Stars is located in the Cederberg wilderness and the terrain doesn’t allow for such access.

For the benefit of everyone: we ask that all participants commit to attending the entire retreat from beginning to end. Your wholehearted commitment supports those in your group and expresses respect for the retreat staff.

We offer personalized payment plans for all our retreats up to 2 months before the start date of your stay.

Please read our terms & conditions for our cancelation policy

We always strive to make our experiences available to everyone and therefore we have a bursary program. Learn more here.

No, there is no mobile coverage or WIFI available. There is a computer with guest access available in case of emergency and you will be provided with a phone number should you need to be reached while staying at Bliss & Stars.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

Please answer the questions below so we can tailor the experience to meet your needs.

We require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation.

If you are not committed to making a reservation yet and have some questions, contact us here.

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