A Desert Venue for Group Stays and Retreats: Alpaca Farm in Mitzpe Ramon, and What Was Built There
A desert venue for group stays and retreats has a history before it has a floor plan, and Alpaca Farm, in Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev highlands, began its own in 1987, when it started raising alpacas for wool. Nearly forty years later the farm also runs a retreat center: a village of ten Mongolian yurts, a geodesic dome and a studio with a wooden floor. Here is how those layers sit together, starting with the herd and ending at the mattress.
A small family farm that began with a herd
Ilan and Naama Dvir founded the farm, and its alpacas and llamas were brought to Israel from the Andes in South America. It is still a small family farm that keeps things personal, which in practice means each group is received as a group of people and not as a booking. The farm lets visitors see the whole production process in one place, from alpaca to sweater, and it describes itself as the only boutique farm outside the Americas where every stage of production happens under one roof.
More than a million and a half visitors have come through. An amphitheater on the farm is where its story is told, and the wool factory shows how a fleece becomes knitting yarn. All of this came first and still holds the place up: a group arriving to practice is arriving somewhere with roots, a herd and working hands.
The farm has long experience producing and accompanying workshops and retreats, and in recent years it has become a sought-after destination for retreat producers. Its team works with producers and teachers on every detail of planning. The grounds themselves are made up of three spaces: a yurt village, a dome and a studio.
The dome: a geodesic roof at the center
The geodesic dome stands in the middle of the grounds and serves as a space for gathering and movement. It is where a group meets in the morning and begins the day together. It is air-conditioned, so practice works in midday heat as well as in the cold of a desert night.
The dome also sleeps groups of up to 14 people, on thick mattresses 10 cm high. Plan ahead for one thing: there are no sheets, blankets or towels in the dome, so you bring your own. Pets are not allowed inside, and barbecues cannot be brought in or lit.
The studio: 80 square meters of wooden floor
The studio is 80 square meters with a wooden floor, made for yoga and meditation practice, lectures and meetings. It can also sleep groups of up to 20, with air conditioning, three toilet stalls and two private shower stalls. Barbecues are not permitted here either.
For workshops and retreats the farm also offers practice space under open sky, facing the desert view. You can bring your own yoga equipment, and in some cases basic equipment is available on site.
The yurt village: ten round rooms on the hillside
The village has ten Mongolian yurts, each about 30 square meters and suited to up to five people. Every yurt has a pergola and a private seating corner at the entrance, and inside there are made beds, towels, air conditioning and heating, a private toilet and a sink. Hammocks hang outside, and the view looks toward Ramon Crater.
The whole village suits groups of up to 50. The grounds have nine toilet stalls and nine private shower stalls, benches and seating areas in the open, and fire corners. Barbecues and grilling meat over open flame are not part of the place, but an evening fire with a cup of tea is.
Groups that need a different kind of lodging will find chalets and suites on the farm too, and khans for shared sleeping, where you bring your own bedding and towels. Group lodging solutions start from seven guests and go up to 50.
Around the buildings: the herd, the paths and a dark sky
The alpacas and llamas live here and are part of the retreat experience, so a break between sessions often means meeting them. Several easy walking trails leave the farm toward viewpoints, and there is room for complete quiet and for watching the sunset. Talking circles facing a desert sunset and guided stargazing with telescopes can be added to a program.
Ramon Crater is about seven minutes’ drive from the farm. It is the largest of the Negev craters and an international dark-sky reserve, the first in the Middle East, which is why the night sky here is genuinely dark. The Ammonite Wall is about 15 minutes away, and Nahal Havarim and Bor Hemet are 25 minutes’ drive.
Planning a retreat or a group stay: what to know
The grounds suit retreats and groups of 20 to 60 participants, depending on the type of stay and the activity, and retreats of two to four days can be arranged. The farm has hosted yoga, Vijnana and Satya retreats as well as business retreats. Among the retreats held here are Reunion, a yoga deepening weekend led by Nitzan Agasi and Shahar-Yam Cohen, Satya, led by Limor Grif, and a sound weekend in the desert.
A few practical points. The grounds have a large, equipped kitchen for self-catering, for individuals or groups of up to 50, because the farm does not serve meals. There are no regular yoga classes, and classes for groups are given by prior arrangement. Amplified music is not part of the place, though calm instrumental music is possible.
For retreats, workshops and business events, call 051-2998460 or write to [email protected]. Tell us what you are planning, and we will think with you about which space, which night and which kind of quiet suit your group.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can Alpaca Farm in Mitzpe Ramon host for a retreat or group?
Alpaca Farm in Mitzpe Ramon hosts retreats and groups of 20 to 60 participants, depending on the type of stay and the activity. The yurt village alone suits groups of up to 50, with ten yurts of up to five people each. The dome sleeps up to 14 and the studio up to 20.
Where do retreat groups sleep and practice at Alpaca Farm?
Groups sleep in air-conditioned Mongolian yurts, chalets and suites, in khans for shared sleeping, and in smaller groups in the dome or the studio. Practice happens in an 80 square meter studio with a wooden floor, in the geodesic dome at the center of the grounds, or in practice space under open sky.
Are meals included on a retreat at Alpaca Farm, or do we cook ourselves?
The farm does not serve meals. The grounds have a large, equipped kitchen for self-catering, for individuals or groups of up to 50, and every kitchen has a home-size fridge and cooking equipment. The kitchens do not keep kosher.
Can a group use amplified music at Alpaca Farm?
Amplified music is not part of the place, and calm instrumental music is possible. That fits a small family farm in the desert, where quiet is part of the experience.
How long can a retreat at Alpaca Farm last, and how do we start planning?
Retreats of two to four days can be arranged. To plan a retreat, workshop or business event at Alpaca Farm in Mitzpe Ramon, call 051-2998460 or write to [email protected], and the farm’s team accompanies producers and teachers through every detail.
What are the check-in and check-out times, and is there a minimum stay?
Check-in is between 15:00 and 19:00, and check-out is by 11:00 on the day of departure. On weekends and holidays the minimum booking is two nights.
Is there mobile reception and Wi-Fi on the grounds?
There is mobile reception and Wi-Fi, though connection problems happen from time to time. A retreat leader who needs a steady connection for a specific purpose should check with the farm office in advance.
Do I need previous experience to join a workshop at the farm?
No previous experience is needed to take part in the workshops. The Satya retreat, for example, suits new and long-time practitioners, and people who have never tried it before.
How is payment made, and which cards are accepted?
Payment is made at check-out. American Express cannot be used.
