If you are not accustomed to high altitude, please remember to drink plenty of water. Altitude physiologists recommend drinking 2–3 liters of water per day before your trip to help your body prepare. Adding electrolytes to your water helps your body absorb and hold onto it — a good idea before and during your stay. Being well rested when you arrive also decreases high-altitude illness symptoms.

Regarding adjusting to high altitude...

We got a wonderful suggestion from a Member who recently trekked in Kashmir, India. She shared something she did while trekking that really helped with the headaches and fatigue that can come along with adjusting to high altitudes.

She took Ibuprofen 1 day before arriving and 3x a day (1–3 pills each dose) while there. According to research linked below, this is proven to be more effective than prescription altitude medication. And it appears that it works best preventatively, before you start feeling bad.

If you're coming from sea level to Red Feather Lakes (7,500–8,000 feet), and it's safe for you to take Ibuprofen, this might help you have a better experience (in addition to staying well-hydrated and getting lots of rest!).
→ Click Here for the Study

For dealing with a dry climate, I use a personal nebulizer with a 0.9% Saline solution to hydrate my vocal folds. (This is what I do to help care for my voice, especially in dry conditions.) You can find small handheld nebulizers and isotonic (0.9%) saline solution online — try searching "personal nebulizer" and "0.9% saline nebulizer solution." A simple saline nasal spray is also a great, easy way to keep your nasal passages moist in the dry mountain air.

This is not medical advice. I am only sharing, for informational and educational purposes, what I and others do for our health. Use this information at your own risk.

Yes, Drala provides both. Bring your own mat if you prefer.

Yes — everyone needs one. Returning participants, please bring your 2025 binder (we'll provide additional 3-hole-punched pages to add to it). If you can't bring it, email us at support@sacredsoundlab.com. First-timers will receive one on arrival.

No need — everything you'll use will be in your music binder.

You'll find the full What to Bring list in the section above. The essentials: layered clothing, a water bottle, sun protection, walking shoes, your harmonium if you're playing, and your 2025 music binder if you are returning (newcomers - we'll provide). Cushions and yoga mats are provided by Drala.

First, text us and post in the WhatsApp group. From there, your best options are to rent a car and drive up, check whether you can jump on a Groome Shuttle to the Fort Collins Transit Center (then an Uber or Lyft to Drala), or reach one of the local drivers listed on Drala's travel page.

Please let us know as soon as you can by texting:
Sheela at 510-282-2237
Brent at 480-217-4952

✈️ Can I fly with my harmonium?

Yes! You are allowed to fly with your compact or collapsible harmonium as a carry-on item on U.S. airlines—as long as there is space in the overhead bin or under the seat when you board. This is protected by U.S. Department of Transportation Regulation 14 CFR § 251.3, which requires airlines to allow passengers to bring small musical instruments into the cabin under standard carry-on policies.
➡️ View the official regulation »

✅ Tips for Flying Smoothly with Your Harmonium (Carry-On Option)

• Limit yourself to 2 carry-ons:
  Your harmonium counts as one carry-on item. You are allowed one personal item (like a backpack or purse). 

• Board early:
  Overhead bin space fills quickly. We strongly recommend purchasing priority or early boarding (Group 1 or 2) to secure space. 

• Be kind, but confidently assert your rights:
  If someone asks you to check your harmonium, say:

  “This is a musical instrument. According to DOT regulation 14 CFR § 251.3, I’m allowed to carry it onboard if there’s space when I board.”

• If overhead bins are full:
  Politely ask the flight attendant:

  “Would it be possible to store this instrument somewhere safe—perhaps in a coat closet, crew compartment, or against the bulkhead wall? It’s fragile and cannot be gate-checked.”

  These options are not guaranteed, but flight attendants often try to help when you ask respectfully.

🛩️ Small Commuter Flights

These regional jets may not have standard overhead bins. In this case:

• Let the gate agent or flight attendant know your harmonium is fragile

• Mention that it fits under the seat in front of you

• If it doesn't fit under the seat in front of you, ask for help finding safe onboard storage, and say:

  “Is there a place we can safely stow this—under a jump seat, in a closet, or near the bulkhead?”

• Do not allow it to be gate-checked—this often involves rough handling in the cargo hold

🎹 Only Bring Compact Harmonium Models

Only fly with harmoniums that are small and cabin-friendly, such as:

• Bhava Mini Kirtan Harmonium

• Bhava Lite Travel Harmonium

• DMS 4B (compact and collapsible)

• Raga Mala Peti (lightweight and slim)

🧳 Prefer Not to Carry It On? You Can Check It—Carefully.

If you'd rather not carry your harmonium onboard, you can check it in a suitcase if you pack it carefully:

• Use a well-padded, hard-shell suitcase

• Surround it with clothing, foam, or bubble wrap to immobilize it inside

• Mark the bag as fragile, and notify the check-in agent

• Ensure it stays under your airline’s weight limit (usually 50 lbs)

We're here to help make your journey to the retreat smooth. Feel free to reach out with any questions 🎶

Yes, coffee will be available

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on premises at the CMZC. 

Drala's summer platform tents (12′ × 14′) come with two twin beds, bookcases, and a hanging clothes rack, and each campground has a shared bathhouse. So you don't need to bring a tent.

Bedding is not provided, though — please bring your own twin sheets, a blanket or sleeping bag, a pillow, and towels.

You can see the details here:
→ Drala Tent Lodging