PROGRAMS: Introduction - Residential Program  -Three Year Retreat - In-House Retreats -
Yarne - Solitary Retreats - Karma Senge Rinpoche's visit June 2007 - Summer Residency

In-House Retreat Dates for 2008
May 27 to June 24 & August 19 to Sept 9

In-house retreat is the one time in the Gampo Abbey year that people have the opportunity to participate in Abbey life without having to make a minimum 6 month commitment. The daily schedule at the Abbey provides a retreat like environment for the community aimed at providing four hours of meditation practice and service (work) each day. Participation in all aspects of the daily schedule is required for those joining the community for an In-House retreat. Due to the nature of the schedule we strongly recommend that those applying to come to the Abbey for an In-House retreat already have an established meditation practice.

In-House retreatants will be asked to support the community by helping in the kitchen, working in the garden, tending the grounds or assisting with housekeeping tasks as their service. Each retreatant will be assigned a meditation instructor. There will be a dharma talk each week for the In-House retreatants given by a member of the monastic community. The Abbey also has an outstanding library of Buddhist and other literature and an extensive tape library of dharma talks particularly by Ani Pema Chodron, the Gampo Acharya. The Abbey is located near Cape Breton's scenic Cabot Trail with many walks and trails accessible virtually from our front door.

PLEASE NOTE: Ani Pema Chodron will be on retreat in the US and will not be at the Abbey during the period In-House retreats are scheduled.

The Abbey can only accommodate a small number of in-house retreat guests at one time; the accommodations given to retreatants are small, simple, generally shared and are available on a first-come basis.

We practice silence daily from wake-up until lunch and again after evening chants. Saturdays are open days (no schedule). Each Sunday is an intensive practice day in silence.

This is the daily schedule Monday to Friday, (Sundays have an additional practice period from 3:30 to 5:30).

  • 5:30 House wake-up
  • 6:00 - 7:00 Sitting Meditation & Morning Chants
  • 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
  • 8:00 - 11:00 Sitting & Walking Meditation
  • 11:00 - 12:30 Body/Mind Practice/Study/Rest
  • 12:30 - 1:15 Lunch
  • 1:30 - 3:30 Service Period
  • 3:30 - 5:30 Open Time (for In-House Retreatants)
  • 5:30 - 6:30 Sitting Meditation & Protector Chants
  • 6:30 - 7:30 Dinner
  • 7:30 - 8:15 Sitting Meditation and Closing Chants (Optional)
  • 8:15 pm Silence begins


In-house retreats cost $45 CDN\US per night. This includes your accommodation (dormitory-style) and three vegetarian meals a day. The minimum stay for an in-house retreat is seven nights and the maximum is two weeks . Once your application has been approved a non-refundable deposit equaling 50% of the cost of the retreat is required in order to finalize your booking. This can be done through our Finance Department. we prefer that you call them, 902-224-1358, and give them your credit card information. Their office hours are 1:30 to 5:30 pm Altantic Time Zone. Another preferred method is to fax your credit card information to, 902-224-1521. Please include name on card, credit card number, expiration date, your telephone number or email address, and your dates confirmed for In-House retreat.

In order to minimize disruption to the daily schedule retreatants must arrive on Tuesdays. Weekly retreat schedule runs from Tuesday to Tuesday. The Abbey will assist with coordinating the travel plans for all in-house retreatants who will not be driving their personal vehicles to arrive at and leave the Abbey. Please see below for detailed instructions on how to travel to Gampo Abbey (download transportation instructions including a map of Cape Breton Island).

When planning your clothing for the Abbey, let your respect for the monastic environment guide you. Tank tops and shorts are not worn on Abbey property but may be worn at the beach. Sleepwear and bathrobes are not worn in public areas. Tight-fitting or other provocative clothes are not acceptable at the Abbey. In the Shrine Room we ask people not to wear jeans or shirts with logos or writing on them.

All guests and residents at Gampo Abbey follow the five precepts which are:

  • refraining from taking life,
  • refraining from stealing (not taking what is not offered),
  • refraining from sexual activity,
  • refraining from lying
  • refraining from drinking alcohol or taking intoxicating drugs.

These vows are taken for the duration of your time at the Abbey. This means that if you leave the Abbey grounds during your stay, you are expected to maintain your vows. See the section on Life at Gampo Abbey for more information on living within a monastic community.

We welcome you to download and return the In-House Retreat Application form.if you wish to participate in our In-House retreat this summer. Please email your completed application to office@gampoabbey.org or fax it to (902)224-1521

Thank you for your interest in visiting Gampo Abbey.

Transportation to Gampo Abbey

Getting to Gampo Abbey is a practice in itself. You will be coming to a fairly remote area of Cape Breton where transportation options are limited and the pace is slower. You may experience this as frustrating or you may be glad for the opportunity to change pace even before you begin your stay at Gampo Abbey. The travel day is Tuesday, so your reservations should be made around this day of the week. Please read this carefully for the options that we can accommodate.

1. By Plane to Halifax, Nova Scotia
It is best to fly to Halifax (YHZ). When booking your flight, try to arrive at Halifax airport the day before your arrival date. If that is entirely impossible, arrive as early as 7:00 am and as late as 1:00 pm, which leaves time for plane delays and customs and immigration clearance if you wish to continue your journey the same day to the Abbey by shuttle. Return flights should be scheduled no earlier than 4:00 pm.

2. Arrival by Shuttle, to Gampo Abbey
There are two shuttle services one to Margaree and the other to Baddeck, for those who were unable to reserve with Robert. Central Inverness, (866) 826-2477 or (902) 945-2000, leaves Halifax 1:20pm (and the Airport at 1:55pm) and arrives in Margaree at 6:15pm. When you make your reservation with Central Inverness please specify that you want to be dropped-off at the Hungry Skipper (in Margaree Harbour). Scotia Shuttle, (800) 898-5883 or (902) 435-9686, leaves Halifax at 8:00am (and the Airport at 8:30am) and arrives in Baddeck at 12:20pm. We prefer you to take Central Inverness because Margaree Harbour is one hour closer to Gampo Abbey.

When you have made your reservations, please confirm with the Office Assistant about your times and drop-off location. This is essential in order for us to arrange to pick you up. Finally, the shuttles limit luggage to one large suitcase and a carry-on.

3. Departure by Shuttle, to Halifax
There are two shuttle services available to take you to Halifax. Central Inverness, (866) 826-2477 or (902) 945-2000, leaves Margaree 6:50am and arrives in Halifax at 12:05pm (and the Airport at 11:30pm). When you make your reservation with Central Inverness, please specify that you want to be picked-up at the Hungry Skipper. MacCleod Shuttle, (800) 471-7775 or (902) 539-2700, leaves Baddeck at 11:30am and arrives in Halifax at 3:45pm (and the Airport at 3:20pm). We prefer you to take Central Inverness because Margaree is one hour closer to Gampo Abbey.

4. By Car to Gampo Abbey
Take the Trans-Canada 104 to the causeway to Cape Breton Island. Take 105 off the traffic circle there to Whycocomagh (also the highway to Baddeck and Sydney). Turn left at the Cabot Trail (towards Cheticamp) Rt. 19, then follow highway through Cheticamp, over the mountains through Highlands National Park to Pleasant Bay. Turn left at Red River Rd. (a T inter-section with an abandoned gas station); a sign just before the intersection points to Red River. Stay on the paved road until it becomes gravel. Continue on the gravel road for about 3 kms until you see the Gampo Abbey sign on your left. The parking lot for the Abbey is on the right just behind the bend of the road.

Driving Times (approximate)
Halifax to Antigonish 3 Hrs.
Antigonish to Baddeck 1 ½ Hrs.
Baddeck to Cheticamp 1 Hr.
Cheticamp to Gampo Abbey 1 Hr.
Total Trip: 5.5 to 6.5 hours

Note: The last gas station on your way is in Cheticamp. Weather on MacKenzie Mt. can be intense. During the Spring, if there is any risk of snow or freezing rain, ask for road conditions before leaving Cheticamp or phone (800) 307-7669 or (902) 224-2041.

Also, to those who are driving and willing to give a hand to anyone who maybe traveling to or from Halifax, please let the Office Assistant know if you would be willing to share a ride.

5. Accommodations in Halifax

Best Western Hotel, 313 Prince Albert Rd., (902) 469-5850 or (800) 528-1234
Fountain View Guest House (Helen Vickery), 2138 Robie, (902) 422-4169
Four Points Sheraton, corner of Hollis & Salter, (902)423-4444 or (866)444-9494
Holiday Inn Select, 1980 Robie, (902) 423-1161
Inn on the Lake, near the Airport, (902) 861-3480
Youth Hostel International, 1253 Barrington St., (902) 422-3863

If you have any further inquiries about accommodations on Cape Breton Island or are interested in any WWOOF farms, ask the Office Assistant (902) 224-2752. Safe travels.