Rediscover Serenity With a Ramadan Retreat at The Zen Wellness Resort

A time for togetherness, religious observance and reflection, Ramadan brings with it a humbling urge to pursue holistic wellbeing for oneself and the ailing world at large. Whether through practising self-care, engaging in altruistic pursuits or simply gathering around a fettah-inclusive communal dining table, the holy month pushes us to tap into a deeper sense of appreciation.

Steeped in the essence of the sacred season’s spiritual tenets, an unparalleled Ramadan retreat emerges on Aswan’s Nile, weaving together the threads of tradition and modern wellness practices – The Zen Wellness Resort’s ‘Wesal’.

The ‘Wesal’ retreat, which refers to the symbiotic relationship between soul and spirit, aims to aid artistic minds in need of creativity-inspiring peace, families seeking to reconnect during this community-focused time, travellers yearning for a lifestyle and health change and, finally, those tirelessly scouring the lands for a hidden nook of serenity, tucked away in a botanical location that’s far removed from the cacophonous city.

By equipping guests with the required tools to ascend beyond spirituality through fostering a healthy connection with their inner selves, The Zen’s specially tailored retreat is poised to unite like-minded individuals through a structured program that promotes self-reflection, spiritual growth and nature-oriented grounding – all of which successfully transforms the act of fasting into a holistic purification ritual.

With a number of diverse activities and bundles that are curated to each individual’s specific needs, ‘Wesal’ touches on three varied forms of connection simultaneously: spiritual, which manifests itself in the form of outdoor and indoor sessions and seminars, social, which brings together individuals for shared spiritual experiences in the form of group activities and discussions, and finally, natural, which can be achieved through immersion in The Zen’s enveloping 200-acre verdant environment.

“Honouring the customs of Ramadan, especially the sacred act of fasting, was our primary goal when creating the retreat,” Dr. Vikrant Sharma, the Wellness and Spa Director at The Zen, tells SceneTraveller. “Everything is built around this.”

And honour it, they do.

The Ramadan spirit is infused into everything the resort has to offer, from the daily guided meditation and the outdoor praying venues to the nightly taraweeh prayers, the charity experiences and the 30-day ‘Khatam al Qur’an’ programme, which helps support guests in successfully completing the holy book.

“The keyword here is ‘detox’ – for the mind, body, spirit and soul,” Dr. Sharma shares with SceneTraveller. "This applies not just to our comprehensive generalised programme but also to the smaller bundles, which offer flexible durations and diverse points of focus."

So, whether you're in the mood for a short and sweet getaway or yearning for a month-long escape, 'Wesal' is designed to be tailored to your needs, aspirations, and whims. If your soul is craving a reconnection with the traces of Mother Earth residing within it, the 'Reconnect to Nature Harmony' bundle offers a consultation with a naturopathic practitioner, extensive lifestyle counselling, and a customised naturopathic diet.

For those looking to mend the marred bits of their body and soul, the 'Ayurveda' bundle provides a consultation with a healer, a nourishing massage, and an integrated approach utilising both naturopathic and Ayurvedic principles.

As for those seeking to shed off a detrimental tendency – a commendable practice during this cleansing season – the ‘Habit Buster’ bundle, which features mindfulness meditation, a shadow workshop and energy therapy, might assist them in shedding that chronic tendency, watching it drift away with the ancient river’s current.

The final two bundles, ‘Mindfulness,’ encompassing meditation and a masterclass, and ‘Insight to Weight Wellness,’ featuring a consultation with a clinical dietitian and a personalised meal plan, cater to those eager to quiet the mind and enhance their physical well-being, respectively.

Additionally, in alignment with the season's emphasis on inner decluttering, The Zen is going beyond traditional Ramadan activities, offering a diverse range of wellness-geared workshops and sessions.

So, if your Ramadan wellness resolution involves spending more time outdoors, you can go on a leisurely nature walk, take a felucca out across the serene Nile waters or partake in a gentle morning yoga class. However, if your focus is more inward, then you’re really in luck because that’s where The Zen really shines. Self-reflection sessions, gratitude practices, and sharing circles are just some of the ways The Zen’s specialised practitioners will help you take a metaphorical vacuum and deep-clean your soul.

Of course, after an admirable amount of introspection and inner cleansing work, there comes a need to focus on a Ramadan pillar that manages to gather even the most distant relatives around the same table – food.

Luckily, the renowned chefs at The Zen are planning to whip up some delectable dishes featuring nutrition-focused options, organic and locally sourced platters, and naturally, some of our favourite Ramadan classics.

Between the healthy culinary creations, the holistic wellness facilities and the enriching workshops, pinpointing a single highlight of The Zen Wellness Resort’s ‘Wesal’ Ramadan programme proves challenging. Though – and I think you’ll agree – the best part is perhaps the fact that this is all taking place during the most sacred and spiritual time of the year – and right by the Nile, no less.